Uttarakhand is witnessing clear weather today, providing much-needed relief to the people after weeks of incessant rainfall.
In view of the clear weather, authorities have intensified efforts to restore traffic on roads blocked by recent landslides in the hilly regions. However, over 150 rural roads connecting villages remain closed to vehicular movement.
The Rural Development minister Ganesh Joshi has directed the officers of the Uttarakhand Rural Roads Development Agency (URRDA) that the roads blocked due to the heavy rains in the State should be reopened on priority and work should be done on war footing to ensure this.
The minister gave the order while chairing a meeting of the URRDA officers on the blocked roads which are under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) at his camp office on Saturday.
Restoration and relief operations are also ongoing in disaster-affected areas of Uttarkashi and Rudraprayag, where search efforts continue for those still missing after the recent spell of extreme rainfall.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has forecast the possibility of rain in some areas over the next few days, though a slight decrease in rainfall is expected, offering some respite from the prolonged downpours.
Over 150 major and rural roads across the State remain blocked due to landslides. In Uttarkashi District, major efforts are focused on restoring the Yamunotri National Highway.
Pilgrims were guided on foot from Ojri to Silai Band and diverted via alternate route today. Uttarakashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya inspected the route on foot and assured that helping pilgrims and locals is the administration’s top priority. Meanwhile, the search continues today for seven workers missing after a landslide near Silai Band.