Uttarakhand Weather Update: Death Toll Rises to 46; Families to Receive Rs. 4 lakh Compensation

 The death toll due to heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand went up to 46 on Wednesday (20 October 2021), according to revised figures by the state government.

“The matter has been briefed to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister. Houses, bridges, and other infrastructure have been damaged. Three (Army) helicopters would be used for rescue missions” reported Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

"So far, 46 people have died and five are missing. The families of the dead will receive compensation of Rs.4 lakh. Those who have lost their homes will receive 1.9 lakh rupees. All available assistance would be provided to individuals who have lost their livestock "he stated.

The Chief Minister, who did an aerial survey along with Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat and Mr. Kumar, also informed reporters that damage had been done to farmers' crops and lands. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has talked with Mr. Dhami to assess the situation. 

The meteorological department has predicted "isolated to scattered" rains across Uttarakhand beginning from Tuesday, which will provide some relief in the coming days.

The rains have created scenes of chaos and disaster across the hilly state, with terrifying images surfacing of flooded and drowned roads and houses, bridges damaged, and rivers overflowing.

Picturesque Nainital was cut off as landslides blocked all three access routes, although communication was restored later in the day. Roads to Kaladhungi, Haldwani and Bhawali were also closed due to landslide debris.

 Eleven deaths were reported on Tuesday, seven people were killed in house collapse accidents in Nainital's Mukteshwar and Khairna regions, while one person was carried away in Udham Singh Nagar.

Five people were reported dead on Monday, including three Nepali labourers who were living near Lansdowne when they were buried alive by rubble streaming down from a field above.

The two additional deaths occurred on Monday after a home tumbled in Champawat district, where an under-construction bridge (over the Chalthi river) was washed away owing to rising water levels.

The Army, in addition to state and national disaster response forces, has been called to action, with three Army helicopters expected to assist rescue and relief efforts.

Images and videos of the floods that have surfaced on social media depict terrifying sights. The iconic Nainital lake has overflowed after receiving more than 500mm of rain in 24 hours, causing water levels to reach an all-time high.

Water was seen rushing into nearby residences and streets this morning. The renowned Mall Road and Naina Devi temple have been inundated, and landslides have destroyed a hostel. More images from Nainital showed Army soldiers fighting currents and creating a human chain to rescue stranded shopkeepers.

This morning, a cloudburst over the hamlet of Ramgarh near Nainital harmed some people.

Not alone did the floods and landslides leave people stuck and terrified; a video emerged showing a lone elephant fighting against the surging floodwaters of the Gaula river after being trapped on a little patch of land in the midst of the water body.