The unending heavy rains and natural disasters in Uttarakhand have severely impacted public life. A tragic landslide in Silai Band, Barkot Tehsil, Uttarkashi has multiple workers reported missing. Following the issuance of a red alert by the weather department, the Char Dham pilgrimage has been suspended for the next 24 hours. Similarly, landslides from heavy rainfall in the Bageshwar district have led to several road closures, exacerbating the emergency situation.
The disaster at Silai Band in Barkot, Uttarkashi wreaked havoc after a cloudburst and landslides. Many workers at a construction site for a hotel are unaccounted for. Upon notification, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, and revenue department teams promptly arrived to begin relief and rescue operations.
'I'm in constant contact with officials'
Providing information about the landslide in Silai Band, Barkot Tehsil, Uttarkashi, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami wrote on X, 'There is news of some workers missing due to the regrettable landslide incident in the Silai Band area of Barkot Tehsil, Uttarkashi.'
The CM added, 'SDRF-NDRF teams and other groups are intensively involved in relief and rescue at the site. I am continuously communicating with the concerned officials and pray for everyone’s safety.'
The meteorological department predicts that the coming three hours in the districts of Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Kedarnath, Joshimath, Ranikhet could witness thunderstorms and lightning.
Char Dham Yatra Suspended for 24 Hours
Meanwhile, warnings of heavy rain and landslides in the districts of Dehradun, Bageshwar, Nainital, Rudraprayag, and Uttarkashi have prompted the suspension of the Char Dham Yatra for 24 hours. There is a risk in lower areas due to a lake formation near Shyana Chatti on the Yamunotri National Highway. The lake poses increased danger near Shyana Chatti of the Yamunotri pilgrimage site.
In a phone conversation with Aaj Tak, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey explained that due to travel restrictions, devotees arriving at Rishikesh are contained there. Those heading to Badrinath and Kedarnath who have passed Rishikesh are halted either in Srinagar of Pauri or Rudraprayag. Travelers heading to Yamunotri and Gangotri are to be stopped at Vikasnagar in Dehradun and Barkot, Uttarkashi and Uttarkashi city. Those currently at Char Dham or who have reached for prayers are ordered to be safely escorted back.
He also stated that the administration is vigilantly monitoring the situation and will decide to resume the Yatra once the weather improves.
Deteriorating Situations in Bageshwar District
Additionally, persistent heavy rains in Bageshwar district have worsened conditions in the Kapkot area. A house in Bhanar village was caught in a landslide. As a result, over 35 roads are closed, halting transit altogether. The administration and public works department are working to reopen the roads. The administration has also urged local residents to stay in safe locations.
Alert in Himachal Pradesh as Well
In addition to Uttarakhand, continuous rainfall has disrupted normal life in Himachal Pradesh. The weather department has issued an orange alert in Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Kangra, Solan, and Sirmaur districts for heavy rains on Sunday. Moreover, a yellow alert has been sounded for Chamba, Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla.
In Himachal Pradesh, heavy rainfall has caused landslides on the Kalka-Shimla railway route, blocking it with falling trees and rocks, thereby suspending all train operations.
