THE NEWS DOSE DESK
Uttarkashi, June 29,UPDATED:2.10 PM
– Nine labourers are missing after a landslide, triggered by a cloudburst, struck their shelter along the Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district early Sunday, officials said.
The incident occurred at Silai Bend, approximately 4 km ahead of Paligad, where labourers—believed to be of Nepali origin—were working on the construction of a hotel. According to District Magistrate Prashant Arya, the landslide washed away approximately 10 metres of the highway, creating a new vulnerable zone near the construction site.
“There were 19 labourers at the campsite when the landslide hit. While 10 have been rescued safely, eight to nine are still missing,” Arya said. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police have launched a search and rescue operation at the site, which remains hazardous due to continued rainfall.
The Yamunotri Highway is blocked at multiple locations due to landslide debris, hampering both rescue efforts and the movement of pilgrims. Pilgrims returning from Yamunotri have been advised to stay at secure locations until the route is cleared. A team from the Public Works Department (PWD) is working to restore access, with clearance expected to take several hours.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed concern over the incident. “Search and rescue operations are underway. I am constantly monitoring the situation and in touch with officials,” he said.
Chardham Yatra Suspended Amid Weather Alert
In a related development, authorities have suspended the Chardham Yatra for a day, citing incessant rains and high risk of landslides. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for heavy rainfall on June 29 and 30 across several districts, including Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, Nainital, Champawat, and Udham Singh Nagar.
Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said the decision to pause the yatra was taken in the interest of pilgrim safety. “Devotees stranded along the routes are being moved to safer locations. District administrations are on high alert, and all rescue and relief teams are active,” he said.
Further movement of pilgrims will be decided after a weather review on Monday. In the meantime, devotees have been urged to follow official guidelines and refrain from travelling until conditions normalise.
Agricultural Losses Reported
Meanwhile, heavy rainfall has also damaged agricultural land in Kuthnaur village of Uttarkashi district, officials confirmed. Assessment of the losses is underway.
