Traffic was disrupted in Uttarakhand, India, after heavy rainfall caused a 70-meter stretch of the National Highway to collapse near Gauchar town in Chamoli district. Government officials immediately mobilized to restore the road and minimize the impact on commuters.
According to a government official, the breach occurred near Gauchar, Kameda, resulting in a 70-meter section of the road being blocked. Authorities from various departments immediately began working to restore the road as quickly as possible. The closure of this important route has affected traffic for the next two to three days, particularly for those traveling to Badrinath Dham.
Chamoli District Magistrate, Himanshu Khurana, confirmed that a stretch of about 70 to 100 meters collapsed on the Badrinath Highway in Kameda. As a result, long queues of vehicles were left stranded on both sides of the blocked road. Sub-divisional Magistrates and other officials have been dispatched to assess the situation and provide necessary support.
Heavy rains also affected the Badrinath Highway at multiple locations in Chamoli district. In the Bhatnagar area, a road collapse buried five vehicles under debris. Additionally, debris from the hillside has blocked the Badrinath Highway near Uma Maheshwar Ashram in Karnprayag.
In the Uttarkashi district, persistent rains have caused boulders to continuously fall, impacting traffic and halting the Yamunotri pilgrimage. The traffic on the Yamunotri Highway has come to a standstill due to the continuous rockfall. Devendra Patwal, the district disaster management official of Uttarkashi, expressed concern over the dangerous situation caused by falling boulders.
Authorities are making efforts to clear the blocked roads and restore traffic flow in affected areas. However, the situation remains challenging as heavy rainfall continues to pose a threat. Commuters and pilgrims are advised to exercise caution and consider alternate routes until the roads are fully operational.
The collapse of the 70-meter stretch of the National Highway highlights the vulnerability of infrastructure in Uttarakhand during periods of intense rainfall. Efforts should be made to strengthen and maintain crucial road networks to prevent such disruptions and ensure the safety of commuters and travelers.
