Dehradun, Sep 02 (V7N)- Continuous heavy rain, torrential downpours and landslides have severely disrupted normal life in the hilly areas of India’s Uttarakhand state, leaving at least seven people dead, including women and children.

The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Department said 172 key roads, including two national highways in Pithoragarh, Nainital and Bageshwar, have been closed because of persistent rainfall and landslides.

Large sections of National Highway 34 in Tehri and National Highway 109 in Bageshwar have been damaged by landslides, bringing traffic to a standstill.

Meanwhile, the release of around 27,000 cusecs of water from the Gola River has caused severe flooding in several areas, including Haldwani and Udham Singh Nagar. Rising water levels in the Khakra River have also inundated low-lying areas, prompting authorities to evacuate residents to safer locations.

In Pauri’s Kotdwar, a mother and her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter were swept away by river currents. Two women and a child were killed after a house collapsed in Habalbagh, Almora. Two Nepalese workers also died after being buried under a landslide in the Tuni area of Dhar.

Amid the worsening situation, authorities have ordered the closure of schools and Anganwadi centres in Nainital, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar and Pithoragarh until Wednesday.

Meanwhile, neighboring Uttar Pradesh is also facing severe flooding. All 84 historic ghats in Varanasi have been submerged after the Ganges rose above the danger level.

The Mandakini River in Chitrakoot has also swollen, flooding surrounding areas including Ramghat and Nirmohi Akhara and damaging bridges.

The Meteorological Department recorded 147mm of rainfall in Pratapgarh and 140mm in Sonbhadra. More than 20 districts across Uttar Pradesh have been warned of heavy rainfall over the next 48 hours.

In Jharkhand, the India Meteorological Department has also forecast heavy rainfall. A warning has been issued for 10 districts, including Garhwa, Palamu, Latehar and Simdega.

Garhwa, Palamu, Simdega and West Singhbhum have been placed under the highest-level red alert because of the hazardous weather conditions, with the warning remaining in effect until September 5.

END/SMA/AJ