Mumbai, March 17: A devastating storm in Uttarakhand has resulted in significant damage and loss of life. In Ramnagar, a teenager tragically lost his life due to the storm, while in Haldwani, a school wall collapsed, trapping five family members.
The severe weather has wreaked havoc across Uttarakhand. In Nainital district, a tree fell on a tin-roofed house, leading to the death of 13-year-old Kartik Upadhyay, son of Prakash Upadhyay. His mother sustained serious injuries in the incident. Meanwhile, in Haldwani, a 10-foot-high wall from a nearby school collapsed onto the hut of Rakesh Maurya, burying five members of his family.
Reports indicate that the Upadhyay family was sleeping in their tin shed when the massive tree fell during the storm. Kartik’s death was instantaneous, while his mother was trapped under the debris. In Bharatpuri locality, a temple boundary wall also collapsed, damaging three parked cars.
On the same night, a significant incident occurred in Haldwani’s Shishmahal area when the school wall fell. The trapped family members included 62-year-old Babu Ram, his 30-year-old son Karan Pal, 28-year-old Dheeraj, his wife Vimla, and their six-month-old daughter. Local residents rushed to rescue the family from the rubble. Dheeraj suffered severe injuries, requiring 24 stitches, but the other family members and the baby were unharmed.
The storm has also devastated wheat crops in the regions of Roorkee and Dehradun. Farmers report that the cost of cultivating one bigha of wheat is approximately ₹3,700. With the crops flattened, yields are expected to drop from three quintals to two quintals per bigha. Farmers are now appealing to the government for compensation. Additionally, significant losses have been reported in Haldwani and Udham Singh Nagar, affecting wheat, mustard, and lentils. In Haldwani, damage to mango and lychee blossoms is estimated at 50%.
Agricultural officials from Almora, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh believe that the rain during the wheat filling stage may actually boost yields. However, hailstorms in Champawat district have damaged peaches and plums. According to the district horticulture officer in Dehradun, the rain is beneficial for mango and lychee crops, with minimal impact expected on overall yields.
The storm has caused power outages in several areas, plunging many into darkness. In Pauri, fallen trees disrupted electricity supply, leaving Nainital without power for over 24 hours. This outage has affected tube wells, leading to water shortages in various regions.
Weather director Dr. C.S. Tomar has indicated that light rain and snowfall are expected in the hilly districts on Tuesday, while the plains will remain dry. Heavy rain and strong winds are anticipated across the state from March 18 to 20.
In Dehradun, the recent western disturbance has led to heavy rainfall, causing a significant drop in nighttime temperatures. This has resulted in a resurgence of cold weather, leading to a surge in patients at Doon Medical College Hospital. The outpatient department recorded over 2,300 patients on Monday, with temperatures dropping from over 16 degrees to 11.4 degrees. The region experienced substantial rainfall, with Rudraprayag recording the highest at 63.0 mm.
In Mussoorie, the day began with bright sunshine, but by noon, dark clouds rolled in, bringing cold winds that prompted visitors to don warm clothing. Many tourists returned to their hotels as the temperature dropped unexpectedly.
In Pithoragarh, snowfall occurred in the higher Himalayan regions, marking the third snowfall of the year. The district headquarters recorded 14 mm of rain, with minimum temperatures reaching eight degrees.
My name is Ganpat Singh Choughan. I am an experienced content writer with 7 years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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