Click it and Unblock the Notifications
Devotees at the Badrinath temple in Uttarakhand experienced a scare when the Alaknanda River's water level rose suddenly, briefly submerging the Brahmakapal and reaching the Taptkund boundary. The river's water level increased due to ongoing excavation work along its banks under the Badrinath masterplan. Praveen Dhyani, president of the teerth-purohit association, said he had warned local authorities about potential dangers to the temple and Taptkund from construction work but received no response.
Construction work near Badrinath temple raises flood fears
Heavy rains and construction activities along the Alaknanda River caused a surge in water levels on Monday, sparking panic among pilgrims visiting the Badrinath temple. The rising river briefly submerged religious sites near the temple, including Brahmakapal, where offerings are made to ancestors, and Taptkund, a hot spring where devotees bathe before worshipping.
Local priests and environmentalists expressed concern about the construction work being done under the Badrinath Master Plan. They believe it's narrowing the riverbed and increasing the risk of flooding. They urged authorities to consider the impact of such projects on the fragile Himalayan environment and the safety of the temple. Officials from the Chamoli District Disaster Management Office issued an alert about the rising water levels but reported no damage so far.
Concerns over construction work
Priests at the temple stated that debris from the excavation was washed away by the rising Alaknanda River. Dhyani, who has been with the organisation for 40 years, said it was his first time witnessing such a rise in water levels. He added that debris from excavation was being dumped into the river, narrowing its flow area. The four sacred rocks of Brahmakapal were also submerged temporarily as water levels rose on Monday evening.
Environmental impact
Environmental activist Chandi Prasad Bhatt expressed concerns about "thoughtless" construction under the Badrinath masterplan, which he had previously communicated to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a letter two years ago. Bhatt emphasised that an assessment of rivers' characteristics, geography, and weather effects should be conducted before starting any programme under the masterplan. Chamoli District Disaster Management Officer Nand Kishore Joshi confirmed an alert was issued on Monday evening regarding rising water levels but reported no damage so far.
