Dramatic footage captured the harrowing moment when workers clearing the Badrinath highway narrowly escaped a landslide this morning, highlighting the perilous conditions in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. The incident, which occurred amid ongoing efforts to clear debris, saw workers rushing down the hill as boulders cascaded dangerously close.
The Badrinath National Highway, a critical route linking the revered pilgrimage site of Badrinath, has been closed for over 48 hours following two significant landslides in the area. One of the landslides, at Patalganga, resulted in debris blocking the entrance of a tunnel on Wednesday, causing extensive damage and forcing the highway’s closure.
Efforts to reopen the highway have been fraught with challenges, particularly near Joshimath where the Patal Ganga Langsi tunnel remains blocked due to heavy debris. Chamoli District Magistrate Himanshu Khurana confirmed the closure, emphasizing the ongoing risks posed by falling rocks and unstable terrain.
The Border Road Organization (BRO), tasked with road clearance operations, has mobilized 241 excavators to expedite the removal of debris along the affected stretch. Despite efforts, connectivity to key destinations such as Joshimath, Niti, Mana, Tapovan, and others crucial for tourism and pilgrimage remains severely disrupted.
Over 2,000 travelers, including pilgrims heading to or returning from Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib, find themselves stranded amidst the closures. The situation has prompted urgent responses from disaster response forces and local authorities, with efforts focused on ensuring the safety of stranded individuals and restoring essential road access.
With heavy rains exacerbating the situation across Uttarakhand, over 260 roads in the state are currently closed due to ongoing landslides and adverse weather conditions. Authorities have issued advisories, urging caution especially for Chardham pilgrims navigating through rain-affected areas.
Sources By Agencies