Uttarakhand Floods Sever India-China Route as Key Bridge Collapses; Highways Blocked, Villages Cut Off

Chamoli, Uttarakhand: Torrential rainfall in Uttarakhand has caused widespread destruction, washing away a vital bridge on the strategic Jyotirmath–Malari highway, the sole direct link to the India-China border in the region.

The bridge near Tamak in Chamoli district collapsed around 2 a.m. on Sunday after the Tamak stream, swollen by relentless upstream rainfall, surged beyond its capacity. This critical structure provided connectivity to several remote villages in Niti Valley, all of which now remain cut off.

Authorities confirmed that no casualties were reported in this incident, but the damage is severe. Restoration work is expected to take time as a section of the adjoining BRO road was also swept away.

Meanwhile, incessant rains have triggered landslides across multiple key highways, rendering them impassable. The Badrinath National Highway is blocked at Bhanirpani and Paaglanala between Chamoli and Jyotirmath, with heavy machinery deployed for clearance operations.

The Kund-Chamoli National Highway, which connects Kedarnath with Chamoli, has also been closed due to a landslide near Bairagana. Similarly, the Yamunotri pilgrimage route faces grave risk as rising Yamuna waters overflow the Shyana Chatti bridge, making travel hazardous.

Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts are among the worst hit. A cloudburst in Dewal’s Mopata area left two people missing and injured a couple after debris engulfed their house. A cowshed was destroyed, and 15–20 animals are feared buried under the rubble.

By Friday morning, the Alaknanda river breached the danger mark in Rudraprayag, flooding homes and submerging the revered Hanuman temple. Several areas have been evacuated as the region battles a flood-like situation.

So far, five fatalities have been confirmed, while 11 individuals remain missing. Rescue and relief operations continue, but persistent rain and damaged infrastructure are slowing down efforts.