Many people died after a cloudburst in Pithoragarh villages of Uttarakhand. (File)
At least 53 families of Dhapa village, around 30 km north of Munsiyari town in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, were evacuated to safety after a huge ditch started to develop in the middle of the village, following torrential rains over the past few days.
"The families have been shifted as a precautionary measure to nearby safe locations like anganwadi centres, primary schools and government buildings, where they are being taken care of by the district supply officer and revenue officials," Pithoragarh District Magistrate VK Jogdande said.
After multiple deaths caused by a cloudburst recently in Gaila Pattharkot and Tanga villages of the district, the administration has started taking measures.
Villagers had started leaving the area before the district administration swung into action, fearing imminent landslides and gradual widening of the ditch.
A zila panchayat representative from the area said all families of Dhapa village should be shifted out permanently and relocated.
"The village is witnessing continuous landslides from the hills since July 16. We have requested the state government to shift the village to a safer place permanently," Member of Pithoragarh Zila Panchayat Jagat Singh Martolia said.