New Tehri: Tehri Flood: The geography of Shiva's city Budhakedar has started changing due to the disaster. The Balganga river originating from here has shown its ferocious form after 75 years. Along with loss of life, houses and shops have been damaged. The fields and roads of the villagers have been destroyed. The Dharmganga river has also caused havoc for the second time after the Kedarnath disaster.

The Budhakedar area is situated between the Balganga and Dharmganga rivers. It is also the confluence of the two rivers, where pilgrims and Kanwar pilgrims take bath. The Budhakedar-Anyarkhal Chardham Yatra also starts from here. The Budhakedar area is famous for its irrigated land. Due to the presence of two rivers, the paddy crop here flourishes, but from time to time this area also faces disasters.

This time the loss in Budhakedar reminded us of the Kedarnath disaster in the year 2013. The usually calm Balganga has shown its fierce form this time and spread terror. If the elders are to be believed, the Balganga river has caused havoc after about 75 years.

Elders Ram Prasad Semwal, Gopeshwar Prasad Joshi, Uttam Singh, residents of Budhakedar say that in the year 1950-51, the river caused havoc due to floods in Balganga. There was no loss of life or property at that time, but the fields full of paddy and footpaths were destroyed. More than 12 cattle were swept away in the river.

Debris and large stones had fallen on the fields in Lenduri village. Since then these fields have been lying idle. Villager Sanop Rana says he has never seen such devastation in his life.

This time it was a loss

• More than six houses of the villagers have been damaged due to the flood.
• Two people have also died after drowning in the river.
• The fields have also been destroyed. The road connecting the old bridge to Budhakedar market has been completely destroyed.
• Even the footbridge is not fit for walking.
• Due to the destruction of roads leading to villages, villagers have to travel long distances.
• The motor road connecting Pinsavad, Agunda, Urni, Kot, Bishan etc. has collapsed at many places.

Disaster came together in Kedarnath and Budhakedar

Budhakedar is considered to be the ancient Kedar. In the past, when people used to go on foot to Kedarnath, Budhakedar was the main walking route. At that time, the journey to Kedarnath was considered incomplete without visiting Budhakedar.

In the year 2013, when the disaster in Kedarnath caused tragedy, a similar disaster was witnessed in Shiva's Dham at the same time. At that time, due to the flood in the Dharmganga river, water entered many houses in Budhakedar. The villagers had moved to higher places to save their lives. At that time, six houses were damaged due to the flood. Many farms were destroyed and many cattle were swept away in the river.