Uttarakhand State PCS

• 12 Aug 2024

Land Subsidence in Uttarakhand

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.

Honorarium for Adopting Destitute Bovine Animals

Why in News?

• According to the sources, the Uttarakhand government is planning to provide a fixed honorarium to state residents who adopt destitute bovine animals.

Key Points

• As per officials, Rs 80 to be given to people per animal and the amount may go up to Rs 100 in special cases if the animal is extremely sick and needs extra care.
• According to the data provided by the Uttarakhand Animal Welfare Board (UAWB), there are a total of 60 registered bovine shelters in the State in which 14,000 bovines are currently residing.

Note: A bovine animal is a domesticated, cloven-hoofed ruminant of the genus Bos, such as a goat, cow, buffalo, bison, deer, or sheep.