A devastating cloudburst in the Silai Band region of Uttarkashi late Saturday night unleashed flash floods and landslides, causing widespread destruction, disrupting key pilgrimage routes, and leaving at least nine workers missing. The natural calamity struck just as the monsoon began tightening its grip over the Himalayan state.
In response to the worsening conditions, the Uttarakhand government has suspended the Char Dham Yatra for 24 hours, citing a red alert for heavy rain and increasing risks to pilgrim safety.
Pilgrimage Disrupted Amid Landslides and Floods
The incident has severely impacted road connectivity in the Garhwal region. Landslides triggered by the cloudburst have blocked major stretches of the Badrinath and Yamunotri national highways, leaving thousands of pilgrims stranded in various towns and halting the sacred journey to the Char Dhams—Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri.
Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed the temporary suspension of the Yatra. “Pilgrims have been instructed to halt at safe locations including Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Sonprayag, and Vikasnagar. Police and local administrations have been directed to assist and shelter the pilgrims,” he said.
Search Operation Underway for Missing Labourers
At the heart of the tragedy is the Baligarh construction site, where the flash flood swept away a part of an under-construction hotel. Eight to nine workers, who were staying at the site, are feared missing. Rescue operations are currently underway, with SDRF, NDRF, and local disaster response teams deployed in full force.
Officials stated that the Yamunotri-Barkot route has been one of the worst hit, and heavy machinery has been mobilised to clear debris and restore connectivity.
Weather Remains Unpredictable
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for continued heavy rainfall in various parts of Uttarakhand. With the terrain already saturated and fragile, further landslides remain a major concern.
The state government has urged locals and visitors to avoid unnecessary travel in the hills and to strictly follow safety advisories issued by the administration.
