Uttarkashi Cloudburst: 8-9 Labourers Missing, Rescue Operations Underway

Uttarkashi — Eight to nine labourers are missing after a cloudburst triggered a landslide in Baligarh along the Barkot-Yamunotri road in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district, washing away a workers' campsite near an under-construction hotel and causing significant damage in the area, officials confirmed.

Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya stated that the administration received information early this morning about the incident, which occurred near Silai, approximately four kilometres ahead of Palighat on the Yamunotri highway.

“There is a hotel under construction near Silai, and adjacent to it, a new landslide zone has formed — an area previously considered safe where no such incidents had occurred before,” Arya explained.

“As debris was falling near the hotel, the labourers' shelter was swept away. A total of 19 labourers were present at the site, and eight to nine of them are currently unaccounted for,” he added.

Rescue operations are underway, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police on the ground. Officials from the Revenue Department and the Public Works Department (PWD) have also reached the location to assist with rescue efforts and road clearance.

“The road hasn’t been completely washed away, but it is blocked by debris. We estimate that clearing the road will take around two hours. However, a 10-meter stretch has been washed out entirely, and its restoration will take longer,” Arya added.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Uttarakhand for Sunday and Monday, warning of extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning at isolated locations across the state.

The cloudburst forms part of a larger weather crisis impacting Uttarakhand. Continuous heavy rainfall has caused widespread disruptions across multiple districts.

The National Highway near Nandprayag and Bhaneropani has been blocked, while in Rudraprayag district, the Sonprayag–Munkatiya road — a key route for Kedarnath pilgrims — has been closed due to landslides. Authorities have temporarily halted the movement of pilgrims at Sonprayag and Gaurikund to ensure safety.

The Yamunotri National Highway is blocked at several locations near Silai Band, and NH Barkot officials have been alerted.

Meanwhile, debris accumulation near Syanachatti has obstructed the flow of the Yamuna River, posing a serious risk to hotels and structures located in low-lying areas.

Heavy rains continue to lash Chamoli, Pauri, Dehradun, Rudraprayag, and surrounding districts. Multiple link roads have been closed due to landslides, while rising river levels have prompted officials to urge residents living near riverbanks to stay alert and take necessary precautions.

With inputs from IANS