Heavy rains have wreaked havoc in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, with rising water levels causing widespread flooding. Videos circulating online show vehicles submerged in floodwaters, with some even floating in the swollen Ganga River. The situation has prompted authorities to warn residents about the dangers of approaching the river.
In response to the escalating situation, police have made announcements urging people to stay away from the river and its banks. They are advising against bathing in the Ganga, emphasizing the risk of the water flow increasing unexpectedly.
Further compounding the issue, debris has been reported falling from the hills, posing additional hazards. A vehicle was buried under debris on Dugadda Road, located 7 kilometers from Kotdwar, according to ANI quoting the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). The SDRF is present at the site, and traffic has been halted in both directions. The SDRF has stated that debris continues to fall from the hill.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Uttarakhand, forecasting isolated very heavy rainfall from June 30th to July 3rd. This heavy rainfall is expected to exacerbate the flooding situation in the region.