Land Subsidence in Uttarakhand

• 12 Aug 2024

Why in News?

According to the sources, Uttarakhand is facing the impact of monsoon rains, with extensive damage to roads and residential buildings.

• The state has been experiencing continuous rainfall since the onset of the monsoon, leading to persistent weather challenges.

Key Points

• Multiple landslides have occurred on the Kund-Ukhimath-Chopta-Gopeshwar highway, while the iron bridge over the Mandakini River in Kund, which connects Rudraprayag-Gaurikund National Highway to Kedarghati and Kedarnath, is under threat due to strong river currents.
  • The National Highway Construction Division inspected the bridge site and immediately imposed a ban on the movement of heavy vehicles on the bridge.
• The Uttarakhand government has sounded a high alert in the affected areas, with emergency services on standby to respond to any further emergencies.
  • The situation is being closely monitored, and residents are advised to exercise extreme caution.

The Mandakini River

• It is a tributary of the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand.
• The river runs for approximately 81 kilometers between the Rudraprayag and Sonprayag areas and emerges from the Chorabari Glacier.
• The Mandakini merges with river Songanga at Sonprayag and flows past the Madhyamaheshwar temple at Ukhimath.
• At the end of its course it drains into the Alaknanda, which flows into the Ganges.