12 Road closed due to heavy rains in the boreder district of Pithoragarh

BD Kasniyal
GG News Bureau
Pithoragarh, 20th July. An average 18 mm rains in last 24 hours resulted in closure of over 12 roads including 3 roads at Indo China border. Sources said.
“The concerned agencies are facing it tough to open three roads of,Tawaghat to Sobla, Dharchula to Tawaghat and Sobla to Tidang at Indo China border as the slides are pouring continuously on these roads, “said RK Shukla, SDM Dharchula.
According to SDM, while the bailey bridge at Kulagar, the place near Darma valley, where the concrete bridge washed away some 12 days ago, has been constructed by BRO, the other sensitive spots have emerged on the road. “Ifall goes well, the vehicular traffic to Darma valley will begin from today, “said the SDM.
According to disaster management office in Pithoragarh, over 9 village roads are closed in the district due to slides on roads.
“The complaints I pregnant women trying and elderly finding it difficult to reach reach nearby medical centers are tricling in from parts of district where these roads are closed and we have issued instructions at block, Zila panchayat and district level officers of agencies concerned to open the roads soon, “said Anand Swroop, district magistrate Pithoragarh.
The Tanakpur Pithoragarh highway, main lifeline of the district, remained closed for over 5 hours due to sliding of heavy boulders at Bhartoli,and Dhaun spots.”the passengers were stuck for over 5 hours without facilities of food joints near the road, “said MS Samant, a passenger from Tanakpur,.
The PWD had to take breaker machine from NH officers to break heavy stones that have slides on Tanakpur Purnagiri road last night, the road is still closed on second day today. “We had to make another trek route for the devotees who were stuck in the Purnagiri temple area. “said APS Bisht, an engineer with PWD.
The lone helicopter deputed to help villagers of high Himalayan villages, could not take sortie in last 3 days due to bad weather. “Three patients in Chal and Nagling villages of Darma valley are still waiting the helicopter to lift them to medical facility in Dharchula.”said Shalu Datal a resident of Darma valley.
According to reports received from Haldwani, vehicular traffic to hill districts of Almora, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar and Champawat has paralysed after road at Ranibagh was shut due to mud debris early Morning today.
“We had to divert all the vehicles towards Jaulikot road but due to shooting of stones at Valdiyakhan on that road as well, the traffic to hill districts becoming delayed. “said AB Kandpal, a PWD engineer.
Pithoragarh district administration sources said that as all the major rover’s flowing from the district are on swell and the administration is keeping an close eye on the water level of these rivers .”While river Kali in Dharchula is 3 feet down to danger level, other two rivulets Gori and Saryu are at 5 feet below danger level but rising. “said BS Mahar, district disaster management officer Pithoragarh.