The relentless monsoon rains have wreaked havoc across several states, with Uttarakhand bearing the brunt of severe flooding and landslides. The Gaula river, swelling beyond its banks, surged to unprecedented levels, inundating the Haldwani railway station. The inundation forced Railways to cease operations at several key stations, affecting travel across the region.
Continuous rainfall over the past 72 hours has inundated the Kumaon region, causing rivers to swell in the mountains and forming large ponds in the plains. In Haldwani, the Lalkuan railway station was submerged, necessitating the diversion of train services to alternate stations like Pantnagar and Rudrapur. Operations at Lalkuan station came to a halt as all four platforms were submerged under rainwater.
Challenges persist at Haldwani railway station where platform two is under imminent threat from the eroding Gaula river. Efforts to mitigate the river’s erosive force with JCB machines have been hampered by the river’s rapid flow, complicating rescue and relief efforts.
Haldwani station superintendent Chayan Rai said that significant disruptions, including the cancellation of the Sampark Kranti and Shatabdi Express trains, impacted commuters traveling between Kathgodam, Haldwani, and Delhi. The Bagh Express from Howrah was also among the services halted at Rudrapur City Station.
The situation remains critical with disaster management officials closely monitoring developments. AP Vajpayee, City Magistrate of Haldwani, warned of worsening conditions if rainfall persists, highlighting the escalating water levels in the Gaula river.
Meanwhile, high-altitude regions are grappling with life-threatening landslides, which have demolished homes and trapped residents. The Chakrata-Kalsi motor road, vital for over 400 villages including tourist destinations, has repeatedly succumbed to landslides, necessitating continuous clearance efforts by the Public Works Department (PWD).
In Belgadh, on the Haldwani Road, overflowing drains added to the chaos, resulting in a dramatic rescue operation of two motorcyclists who were swept away by floodwaters. Further downstream, in Rishikesh, the fluctuating water levels of the Ganges posed risks to residents, with one woman narrowly escaping being swept away by local youths.
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