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Disaster Strikes Uttarkashi: Yamunotri-Gangotri Highways Blocked, 9 Workers Missing in Silai Band, Two Washed-Out Bridges Cut Off Access to Dasda Village
Continuous torrential rainfall since late last night has wreaked havoc across the Uttarkashi district. Several stretches of the Yamunotri and Gangotri National Highways have been blocked due to landslides and heavy debris, causing complete disruption of movement. The Yamunotri Highway at Paligaad, Kuthnaur, and Jhajhargaad and the Gangotri Highway at Netala, Bishanpur, Laldhang, and Naluna have been completely closed.
The most severe incident occurred in the Silai Band area, where 9 workers have gone missing due to a massive landslide. Teams from the SDRF, NDRF, Revenue Department, NH Barkot, Health Department, and Police are present at the site, engaged in intensive search and rescue operations. Relief work is ongoing on a war footing, with JCB machines deployed to clear the debris.
Meanwhile, the village head of Dasda (Bhattwadi Block), Annu Pawar, has drawn attention to a serious humanitarian crisis. He stated:
“Due to the rains, two bridges in our village have been washed away, completely cutting off access for residents. The trolley installed by the PWD department is also non-functional. Kindly take cognizance of this situation. I will remain ever grateful for your intervention.”
This statement highlights that the situation in remote areas becomes even more critical after such disasters, where reaching and delivering relief becomes a significant challenge.
The administration has issued warnings advising people to stay away from rivers and landslide-prone zones and to avoid unnecessary travel. The Meteorological Department has predicted further heavy rainfall in the next 24 hours, which could worsen the situation.
Currently, hundreds of pilgrims and villagers remain stranded in various locations, and the administration is arranging food, basic medical aid, and transportation to bring them to safety.
This calamity in Uttarkashi is not only a natural disaster but also a test of administrative readiness, grassroots leadership, and collective resilience. The district administration is keeping a close watch on developments and continuing relief operations with urgency.
