Cloudburst Hits Yamunotri Highway, Nine Labourers Feared Swept Away In Uttarkashi

At least eight to nine road construction labourers are feared to have been swept away after a cloudburst triggered heavy rains along the Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district early Sunday, according to local police and disaster management officials.

The incident occurred near Silai Bend in the Barkot area on the route to the Yamunotri temple. The labourers, all reportedly of Nepali origin, had been working on road construction and were residing in temporary tents near the highway. They went missing following the cloudburst and heavy downpour around midnight.

Barkot Police Station SHO Deepak Kathait confirmed that a police team rushed to the location upon receiving information. “Labourers were living in tents at the site, and due to the intense rainfall caused by the cloudburst, they are feared to have been swept away. So far, eight to nine people are untraceable, and a search operation is currently underway,” he said.

The cloudburst and accompanying rainfall have caused widespread damage in the region. The Yamunotri National Highway remains blocked at several points, including Silai Bend. Officials have also reported the destruction of agricultural land in Kuthnaur village due to debris and floodwater.

Additionally, the road near Ojri has been completely washed away, cutting off access. In Syanachatti, the Kupda Kunshala Trikhili motor bridge is at risk due to rising water levels in the Yamuna River.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, wrote on X that rescue operations are being conducted in the region. "In the tragic incident of a landslide in the Silai Band area of Barkot Tehsil, Uttarkashi district, it has been reported that some workers are missing. Teams, including SDRF, NDRF, and others, have reached the site and are engaged in intensive relief and rescue operations. I am in constant contact with the concerned authorities regarding this matter,” he informed.

Authorities are continuing search and relief operations amid difficult weather conditions. The situation remains critical as the district grapples with the aftermath of this natural disaster.

This incident comes after continuous rescue operations by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) in the past week. Among those rescued are two pilgrims who were travelling enroute to Yamunotri. The yatra to the Bahirav temple through the trek route has hence been suspended. Debris damaged the road and railing near the Himalayan temple, the site of the landslide.

To prevent more such accidents, "We have kept the yatra on hold during the day, as you can see the spot is sensitive. Once the rubble is cleared, we hope to open the yatra on Wednesday. The search by the SDRF (State Disaster Response Force), NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), and the police personnel for the two missing pilgrims continues," Uttarkashi District Magistrate (DM) Prashant Arya told PTI.