100m stretch of Yamunotri highway collapses amid heavy rain

Time of India

4 days ago

Dehradun/Uttarkashi: Continuous monsoon rains on Saturday triggered a major collapse of nearly 100 metres of the Yamunotri highway near Phoolchatti — just 3 km before Jankichatti, a key halt en route to Yamunotri Dham — disrupting movement and halting the pilgrimage.
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Around the same time, landslides on the Kedarnath trek route near Gaurikund led to a temporary halt in yatra movement.
Following the Yamunotri road collapse, vehicular traffic came to a standstill. Small vehicles were diverted through the Kharsali alternative route, but heavy vehicles remained barred. Notably, around 20–25 days ago, the same stretch near Phoolchatti had shown signs of distress, with cracks and road narrowing due to persistent land subsidence, officials said.
The PWD deployed two backhoe loaders, four tractors, and labourers to clear debris. Authorities said movement of small passenger vehicles continued via Kharsali, but concerns over supply chains remained. The food department confirmed that ration supplies in Jankichatti and nearby areas were sufficient until Aug.
Around 4 am on Saturday, heavy debris and stones buried a 30-metre section of the Kedarnath trek route, about 50 metres from Gaurikund's Ghorapadav.
District authorities, along with NDRF, SDRF, and police teams, launched rescue operations promptly.
"Around 1,600 people have already been rescued, and efforts to evacuate another 700 were underway," said disaster management secretary Vinod Kumar Suman. Officials confirmed there were no reports of human or animal casualties.
In Rudraprayag district, between 1 am and 4 am, sudden flooding and debris flow from the Saudi Gadere and Bedu Bagad streams damaged several structures, including houses, cowsheds, toilets, and roads in Chameli, Rumsi, Chamarara Tok, and Vijaynagar villages.
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About 8–10 buildings were filled with silt and stones.
Relief operations began by 6 am. Debris was being cleared with the help of JCBs, and affected residents and livestock were shifted to safety at the time of filing this report.
The local administration set up relief camps offering temporary housing, medical care, food, and essential services. Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami monitored the situation closely, and additional resources were mobilised as needed. Rudraprayag district disaster management officer Nandan Singh Rajwar told TOI, "The yatra was halted during the night but resumed on Saturday morning. Efforts to clear motorable and trek routes were ongoing.
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