Panic gripped locals in Sayana Chatti (Yamunotri) in Uttarkashi after a lake was formed in the Yamuna River, triggering fears of houses getting submerged.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered safe evacuation, while SDRF, NDRF, and local administration have shifted 150 people to safety.
Villagers in Syanachatti, on the way to Yamunotri Dham, created a tense situation on Friday by wading into a lake formed by debris and raising slogans. They blamed the administration for not taking action earlier and demanded the lake be drained quickly to avoid danger to the lower areas.
Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand: A temporary lake on the Yamunotri highway in Sayana Chatti has submerged houses, hotels, a school, and a bridge. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered safe evacuation, while SDRF, NDRF, and local administration have shifted 150 people to safety
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The residents claimed that they had informed officials about the lake’s formation on June 29, but no timely action was taken, which, they said, has now escalated the crisis. They demanded the lake be evacuated immediately to prevent danger to downstream areas.
District Magistrate Prashant Arya, who reached the spot, urged the people to remain calm. “There is no need to panic. All safety measures are being taken and agencies are present to safely evacuate the lake as soon as conditions allow,” he assured.
The administration said the situation is under constant surveillance through drones and other monitoring systems. Officials added that the water level in the temporary lake is gradually decreasing.