Nepal Floods: Uttarakhand on High Alert, SDRF Deployed in Champawat

Following severe floods in Nepal on Wednesday, the border district of Champawat in Uttarakhand has stepped up vigilance. The Tanakpur post of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been placed on high alert, with authorities urging residents to stay away from the banks of the Sharda River.

Officials said that the SDRF's Tanakpur team, acting under the instructions of SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi, is continuously monitoring and patrolling vulnerable riverbank areas, including the Sharda Ghat, the Sharda Barrage, and surrounding localities. The team is keeping a close watch on the river's water level and potential risks while maintaining coordination with the local administration.

The SDRF team has visited the Sharda Ghat and low-lying areas to alert local residents, travellers, and fishermen about the potential rise in the river's water level. People have been urged not to venture near the riverbanks unnecessarily under any circumstances and to adhere to safety guidelines issued by the administration.

Officials added that the SDRF team is fully prepared round-the-clock with essential life-saving and rescue equipment to initiate immediate relief and rescue operations in the event of any emergency.

The Uttarakhand government has also issued helpline numbers to assist the state's people stranded in Nepal. The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) has released these numbers to aid those affected. If any person from Uttarakhand is stranded in the affected area of Nepal, or if anyone wishes to share information regarding an individual, they can contact the helpline numbers of the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Dehradun.

Apart from the SEOC numbers—0135-2710334, 2710335, 2664314, 2664315, 2664316, and 8218867005—people can also contact the toll-free number 1070.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has expressed deep grief over the extensive loss of life and property caused by the natural disaster in Nepal. CM Dhami said that the sympathies of the people and the government of Uttarakhand are with the affected families in Nepal during this difficult time.

The Sharda River, also known as the Mahakali in Nepal, flows through the Himalayan region and is prone to sudden swelling during heavy rainfall. The transboundary nature of the river requires close coordination between Indian and Nepalese authorities, especially during the monsoon season. The SDRF's proactive deployment reflects the state's preparedness to respond quickly to any potential cross-border impact.

Local administrative teams have been asked to remain in constant touch with the SDRF and other emergency services. The district administration has set up control rooms to handle any flood-related complaints and to disseminate timely information to the public. Residents in low-lying areas have been advised to stay alert and follow official instructions.

The situation is being monitored closely, and further updates will be issued as necessary. Authorities have assured that all possible measures are being taken to ensure the safety of people on both sides of the border.