Mussoorie/Haldwani/Rudrapur, Sept. 3 -- Rainfall lashed large parts of the state till 8.30pm on Wednesday, triggering landslides, flooding and forcing evacuations in areas vulnerable to inundation from swollen seasonal streams. As many as 140 roads remained blocked across the state till Wednesday evening, said officials. Uttarakhand received 28.4 mm rainfall during the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am, against a normal of 10.3mm, representing a departure of 176%. Nainital district recorded the highest district-wide rainfall at 108.4 mm, which was 569% above normal. Champawat received 41.8 mm rainfall, 270% above normal, followed by Udham Singh Nagar at 33 mm, Almora at 32.4 mm, Rudraprayag at 28.4 mm, Uttarkashi at 27.1 mm and Pithoragarh at 24.9mm. In Nainital district, the continuing downpour led to landslides blocking around four dozen roads. Rising water levels in rivers and streams and the increasing threat of landslides prompted district magistrate Lalit Mohan Rayal to direct all concerned departments to remain on high alert. "Around 90% of the blocked roads are rural roads. Four to five state highways have also been affected, while traffic has been disrupted at the Garampani stretch of the national highway. Machinery has been deployed at several locations and restoration work is underway," said Rayal. The Public Works Department, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, National Highways, Irrigation, Electricity and Drinking Water departments have been directed to deploy adequate manpower and machinery at vulnerable locations. Revenue department teams have also been sent to affected areas to assess losses, while immediate relief is being provided through tehsildars in cases involving partial damage to houses and loss of livestock. Authorities appealed to residents and tourists to venture out only when necessary and avoid landslide-prone areas, rivers, streams, ravines and seasonal drains. In Udham Singh Nagar, swollen rivers and rain-fed streams created flood-like conditions in several areas. Around 40 families in the Sitarganj area were evacuated after floodwater entered the village. Water was also released from dams in the district as river levels approached danger marks. In Nainital's Bindukhatta , soil erosion along the swollen Gaula river raisied concerns for settlements located close to the riverbank. In Ramnagar, the famous Garjiya temple was closed for devotees on Wednesday morning after the swollen Kosi river reached the stairs to the temple complex. Heavy rain and debris also entered Alchona village in the Bhimtal, forcing the administration to evacuate 23 families. In Champawat, vehicular movement on the Sharda Barrage at Banbasa was suspended after the water level of the Sharda river rose following heavy rain in the hills. The district administration also ordered schools and Anganwadi centres closed as a precaution. In Almora, district magistrate Anshul Singh declared a holiday at Sobhan Singh Jeena University and other degree colleges on September 3. 140 roads remained blocked till Wednesday evening, including 18 in Almora, 12 in Bageshwar, 20 in Chamoli, two in Champawat, 12 in Dehradun, 27 in Nainital, 17 in Pithoragarh, 13 in Tehri and six in Uttarkashi. In Uttarkashi, movement of cars on the Gangotri National Highway was disrupted at several locations because of fresh landslides and scheduled bridge maintenance....