Uttarkashi Cloudburst Leaves Several Missing; Rescue Efforts Underway

A devastating cloudburst early Saturday morning triggered a landslide along the Barkot–Yamunotri highway in Uttarkashi’s Baligarh area, resulting in eight to nine labourers going missing.

The disaster swept away a temporary campsite adjacent to an under-construction hotel in Silai, causing heavy damage to the region’s infrastructure and alarming authorities.

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said he is closely monitoring rescue efforts after a cloudburst in Uttarkashi’s Baligarh left 8–9 labourers missing.

He assured that SDRF, NDRF, and other teams are conducting intensive relief operations.

The incident caused significant damage near an under-construction hotel on the Yamunotri highway. CM Dhami also prayed for everyone’s safety.

Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya stated that the incident took place approximately four kilometres ahead of Palighat in an area previously considered geologically stable.

“A new landslide zone has formed near Silai, where no such incidents had occurred before. As debris began tumbling down the slope, it washed away the labourers’ shelter,” he reported.

Out of 19 labourers present at the site, eight to nine are currently untraceable. The campsite was directly in the path of the cascading debris, leaving little time for escape.

Emergency response activated

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police swiftly launched rescue operations in response to the disaster.

The Revenue and Public Works Department (PWD) teams began road clearance and recovery efforts at the site.

Arya confirmed that debris had blocked several sections of the highway and completely destroyed a 10-metre stretch, even though parts of the road remained intact.

Authorities estimate that the road may take several hours to clear and much longer to fully restore.

The incident forms part of a larger weather emergency unfolding across Uttarakhand.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for the state, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning over Sunday and Monday.

Multiple regions have already experienced disruptions. In Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts, landslides have forced the closure of link roads and pilgrimage routes.

The Sonprayag–Munkatiya road, critical for Kedarnath pilgrims, has been shut due to debris, halting movement at Sonprayag and Gaurikund.

River swelling & hotel risk

Debris continues to block the Yamunotri National Highway at multiple points near Silai Band, while another obstruction has disrupted the National Highway near Nandprayag.

Authorities have identified debris accumulation in a drainage canal near Syanachatti, which has blocked the flow of the Yamuna River and endangered hotels situated in low-lying areas.

Meanwhile, with rain continuing across Pauri, Dehradun, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli, the state administration has urged residents living near riverbanks to stay alert.

Emergency advisories have been issued, calling on people to relocate to safer zones if necessary and to follow disaster management protocols.

This tragedy underscores the increasing vulnerability of the Himalayan region to extreme weather events and the urgent need for proactive disaster preparedness.

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