Now, Mukhba village at risk as Bhagirathi changes course

Time of India

19 hours ago

Uttarkashi: The sound of rushing water in Mukhba no longer soothes. It causes fear. This quiet hamlet, perched at 2,600 metres in Uttarkashi's Harshil valley, from where the first videos of a flood-hit Dharali were shot on Aug 5, is now under threat as the Bhagirathi river has sharply altered course in the disaster's aftermath.
Once flowing midstream, its waters now slam into the hillside directly below Mukhba, accelerating soil erosion and threatening the village of nearly 500 residents. Chunks of land have already been swallowed by the current, taking with them the villagers' sense of safety.
Suresh Semwal, secretary of the Shri Panch Gangotri Temple Committee, fears the worst. "If this erosion continues, the village will surely be at risk," he said, warning that the same forces that tore through Dharali are now gnawing at the slopes beneath Mukhba.
"We saw what happened just across the river -- how land, homes and livelihoods vanished. If urgent measures aren't taken, Mukhba could be next," Semwal added.
Local resident Rajesh Semwal stressed that Mukhba -- the winter home of Goddess Ganga -- was a place of immense spiritual and cultural significance, and "urgent steps should be taken to protect it." "Every hour we delay, the river takes more of our land. This isn't just soil washing away, it's our heritage, homes and future.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
11 Harry Potter Actors Who Grew Up Stunningly.
The Latest Article
Undo
Work on a protection wall must begin immediately, before the next surge leaves us with nothing to save," he said.
Above the torrent, the 1980s suspension bridge linking Mukhba to Dharali and the rest of Uttarkashi district sways under mounting strain, with its stone abutments crumbling. Declared unsafe on Tuesday, this lone artery saved lives during the Dharali disaster, when people from Mukhba saw the flash flood approaching and raised the alarm.
Army engineers and disaster response teams are working urgently to secure and repair it.
For now, only one person is allowed to cross at a time, officials said.
"If the bridge goes, so does our lifeline," said local priest Rajnikant Semwal.
District magistrate Prashant Arya said, "A zip line will soon connect Mukhba and Dharali to maintain the flow of relief supplies. Engineers believe the bridge can be repaired, but any permanent safety wall will have to wait until the river calms."
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.