Two Indian Air Force Personnel Tragically Drown in Bhimtal Lake Amid Intense Uttarakhand Rains
Ongoing heavy rains in Uttarakhand have led to a tragic incident where two Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel drowned in Bhimtal lake, located in the Nainital district. The deceased, identified as Prince Yadav, aged 22, from Pathankot, Punjab, and Sahil Kumar, aged 23, from Muzaffarpur, Bihar, were part of a vacationing group of IAF colleagues.
Circle Officer Pramod Shah reported that the group consisted of eight IAF personnel, including four women, who were enjoying a leisure trip in the area. The accident happened when the group ventured into the swollen Musatal lake near Chafi village. It took locals, police, and SDRF teams almost an hour to recover the bodies.
The incident coincides with the severe monsoon rains causing widespread disruption in Uttarakhand. Over 109 roads are blocked due to landslides and waterlogging, significantly affecting the Chardham Yatra as the Yamunotri and Kedarnath highways are rendered impassable due to debris and road damage.
A substantial landslide at Silai bend along the Yamunotri route swept away shelters meant for construction workers, leaving nine people missing and destroying a 12-meter section of road. The Kedarnath route also faces blockages between Sonprayag and Gaurikund.
Home Minister Amit Shah has communicated with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to assess the ongoing situation. Dhami mentioned through a post on X that central agencies such as the NDRF and ITBP are being deployed to aid in travel restoration and relief efforts.
Elsewhere, the Badrinath highway is obstructed by falling boulders, while major rivers like the Ganga, Alaknanda, Mandakini, and Bhagirathi are swollen, flowing close to danger levels. Alerts are being issued for residents living near riverbanks, particularly in Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, and Pithoragarh.
In Barkot, the overflowing Yamuna river has formed a lake that is now flooding nearby homes and hotels. The local administration has dispatched excavators to clear the lake outlet and prevent further floods.
Food shortages have begun to impact the Geeth area in Uttarkashi due to the blocked Yamunotri highway. Local officials are urging authorities to ensure that essential goods reach remote villages.
In Dehradun, severe waterlogging has affected areas such as Prince Chawk and the vicinity of Doon Hospital, exacerbating the city's difficulties. The meteorological department forecasts continued rainfall across the region in the coming days, leading officials to maintain a high alert status.
