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Key Points

Heavy rainfall and a cloudburst in Uttarkashi have caused the Ganga to flood Rishikesh’s Parmarth Niketan Ashram, submerging the sacred Shiva idol. Authorities have restricted access to riverbanks for public safety. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami convened an emergency meeting, while PM Modi assessed rescue operations. Relief teams are working to assist affected communities amid ongoing rainfall.

Key Points: Ganga Floods Rishikesh Ashram as Cloudburst Submerges Shiva Idol

  • Cloudburst in Uttarkashi triggers Ganga water surge in Rishikesh
  • Parmarth Niketan's Shiva idol submerged as river crosses danger mark
  • CM Dhami holds emergency meeting amid flash flood warnings
  • PM Modi reviews Uttarakhand relief operations with state officials
2 min read

Uttarakhand: Cloudburst raises Ganga water level, touches Shiva idol at Parmarth Niketan Ashram

Rising Ganga waters from Uttarkashi cloudburst reach Parmarth Niketan Ashram, submerging Shiva idol. CM Dhami and PM Modi monitor rescue efforts.

"The water level is rising all over Parmarth, and even the Shiva idol is starting to sink. – Pankaj Kumar Dwivedi"

Rishikesh, August 6

Continuous heavy rainfall has caused the water level of the River Ganga to rise significantly at Parmarth Niketan Ashram in Rishikesh, with water seen touching the idol of Lord Shiva at the ashram's Aarti Sthal.

An employee at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Pankaj Kumar Dwivedi, said that the cloudburst in Uttarkashi on Tuesday led to the water level rising above the danger mark.

He added that for safety reasons, people are not allowed near the riverbanks and all entrances to the ghats have been locked.

Speaking to ANI, Pankaj Kumar Dwivedi said, "Right now, the water level of the Ganga is rising all over Parmarth, and even the Shiva idol is starting to sink. Yesterday's accident in Uttarkashi has caused the water level here to go well above the danger mark. We need to be very careful and help others as much as possible. It's a big tragedy."

"Because of this, the water level has risen a lot in Uttarkashi. We have also ordered that no one is allowed to go near the banks of the Ganges. All the entrances to the ghats have been locked to keep people safe," he added.

Earlier in the day, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a disaster management meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to assess the cloudburst and flash flood in Uttarkashi's Dharali.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami over the phone and inquired about the recent natural disaster in the Dharali area of Uttarkashi district. The Prime Minister also took stock of the updated status of relief and rescue operations, an official release said.

Chief Minister Dhami told the Prime Minister that the state government is engaged in relief and rescue operations with full readiness. Due to continuous heavy rains, difficulties have arisen in some areas, but all concerned agencies are working in coordination to provide quick assistance to the affected people.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
My family visited Parmarth Niketan just last month! Seeing these images gives me chills. The authorities are doing right by restricting access to ghats. Safety first, even if it means missing evening aarti for few days.
A
Arjun K
Climate change is hitting us hard. Same story every monsoon in Uttarakhand - cloudbursts, landslides, floods. When will we learn? Need sustainable development in hills, not just rescue operations after disasters.
S
Sarah B
As someone who's done yoga teacher training at Parmarth, this news hits close to home. The ashram staff are always so caring - hope they stay safe while managing this crisis. The Ganga aarti there is magical, but nature demands respect.
V
Vikram M
While relief operations are important, we must ask why these disasters keep happening. Uncontrolled construction, deforestation in Himalayas is making these areas vulnerable. Ganga Maiya is showing her anger through these floods.
K
Kavya N
The image of Shiva idol in water is so powerful - reminds us that even gods aren't spared from nature's fury. Praying for safety of all affected people. Uttarakhand needs long-term solutions, not just temporary relief measures.
M
Michael C
Visiting Rishikesh changed my

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