At Least 7 Killed, 3 Bodies Recovered After Massive Landslide Hits Pithoragarh

The Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand has been experiencing heavy rains for the last 4-5 days.

The landslide was triggered by a cloudburst in the area, which dislodged muck and debris that hit multiple houses. Image used for representational purposes.

(Photo: PTI)

At least seven people have been killed in a massive landslide in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district, officials said on Monday, 30 August.

Of these, three bodies have been recovered as clearance and rescue operations are underway. The landslide was triggered by a cloudburst in the area, which dislodged muck and debris that hit multiple houses.

"The disaster occurred in Jamri and Tarkot hamlets in Jumma village when heavy rains led to debris and muck hitting the houses. So far, three bodies have been recovered and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team is searching for the other missing persons of the village," said Ashish Chauhan, Pithoragarh’s District magistrate, to Hindustan Times.

Jumma village is about 125km from the Pithoragarh district headquarters.

“Instructions have been given to the district magistrate to intensify the rescue mission. I pray to God for the safety of the people trapped there," said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a tweet earlier in the day.

Teams of the SDRF and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) have been sent to Jumma village, reported news agency ANI. Relief materials have also been sent to the affected area.

Pithoragarh has been receiving incessant rainfall over the last four-five days, causing great devastation in the area. Bridges have been damaged, roads have been blocked and many areas have been submerged. A 23-year-old girl went missing from the Joshi village of the district last week during one such extreme weather event.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert in the Nainital, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh districts of Uttarakhand for 29-30 August, forecasting heavy rainfall in these areas.

On Sunday, 29 August, CM Dhami conducted an aerial survey of the disaster-hit Garhwal division of the state that saw heavy rains. He surveyed the affected areas of Devprayag, Totaghati, Tindhara, Kaudiyala, Rishikesh, Ranipokhari, Narendranagar, Fakot, and Chamba in the division.

(With inputs from Hindustan Times)