Uttarkashi: The Yamunotri pilgrimage in Uttarakhand has come to a standstill as relentless rains continue to wreak havoc, causing boulders to tumble down onto the Yamunotri Highway for the past three days. The situation has resulted in a suspension of traffic and left many commuters, including pilgrims and locals, stranded in the area, officials reported.
Devendra Patwal, the district disaster management official of Uttarkashi, stated that the continuous falling of boulders has brought traffic on both sides of the road to a complete halt. The impact of this disruption has been severe, especially for those on the Yamunotri pilgrimage.
On Monday morning, a significant incident occurred when large boulders fell from the mountains, exacerbating the already difficult situation for commuters. Adding to the troubles, intermittent rains caused a stretch of 60-70 meters of the Badrinath Highway, specifically at Kameda, to be washed out, leading to a complete blockage of the traffic flow.
According to Chamoli police reports, numerous commuters, both tourists and locals, are currently stranded on both sides of the blocked highway. The torrential downpours have caused substantial damage to various areas of the Uttarkashi district, as shared by Uttarkashi District Magistrate (DM) Abhishek Rohila. He mentioned that Purola, Barkot, and Dunda have suffered damage to 50 buildings, with 50 roads closed in the district. Moreover, around 40 villages are facing an interruption in electricity supply, and more than 400 agricultural land drains have been washed away.
In another incident on Sunday, a landslide near Arakot market blocked the Arakot-Himachal Pradesh Road, adding to the challenges faced by the region. Additionally, falling debris near Gangnani led to the blockage of the Yamunotri National Highway, stranding scores of commuters, both tourists and locals, in Uttarkashi.
As authorities work tirelessly to clear the debris and restore traffic, the people in the affected areas are enduring considerable difficulties. The situation remains unpredictable, and authorities are urging caution and patience during this critical time.
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