Torrential Rains Wash Away Key Uttarakhand Bridge, Stranding Niti Valley Villages
Gopeshwar: Heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district triggered a flash flood that destroyed a vital motorable bridge on the Jyotirmath-Malari highway, severing road access to over a dozen villages in the Niti Valley near the Indo-China border. According to district officials, the Tamak stream, swollen by intense upstream rains, swept away the cement and concrete structure around 2 a.m. on Sunday, disrupting connectivity to border areas and military outposts. No casualties were reported in the incident, which occurred along the banks of the Dhauliganga River, a tributary of the Alaknanda.
The collapse has left villages such as Lata, Kaga, Dronagiri, Malari, Bampa, Gamshali, and Niti isolated, halting road-based supplies to security forces stationed at the border. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has deployed heavy machinery to clear debris and restore access, though challenging conditions are slowing efforts. Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari confirmed that relief operations are underway, with teams working to establish temporary routes.
In addition, the Badrinath National Highway remains blocked at Bhanirpani and Paaglanala due to debris accumulation between Chamoli and Jyotirmath, further complicating travel in the region. The Kund-Chamoli National Highway, linking Kedarnath to Chamoli, is also obstructed by a landslide near Bairagana, with ongoing efforts to clear the route. Chamoli Police reported additional road blockages at Pagalnala, Nandprayag, Kameda, and Chatwa Pipal, urging residents and travelers to avoid unnecessary journeys.
The disaster follows a pattern of rain-related disruptions in Uttarakhand, with recent cloudbursts and landslides exacerbating connectivity issues. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to expedite rescue and relief operations, emphasizing the need for swift restoration of critical infrastructure. The Indian Army and disaster response teams are assisting in the affected areas, as the region braces for more rain in the coming days, according to weather forecasts.