Uttarakhand news: Pithoragarh’s Dharchula hit by massive landslide; road blocked

Uttarakhand news: The ecologically fragile Uttarakhand faces yet another massive landslide in Pithoragarh's Dharchula area. The entire stretch of the Tawaghat road has reportedly been blocked because of it.

According to a Doordarshan (DD) report, Tawaghat road has been blocked near Rongti Nala due to landslide in Dharchula of Pithoragarh. “Work to open the road is going on.”

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Amidst Uttarakhand's history of fatal landslides each monsoon, netizens have questioned the Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government's readiness for the 2024 monsoon season.

“Presently, the governments are blindly aping the NCR model of development/disaster by allowing unmindful construction, mainly private ones. The fragile eco system of Uttarakhand is not in their minds. It's a lack of foresight & vision coupled with the vested interests of people!” a user said.

Another added: “In Pithoragarh, the entire mountain came on the road in no time, the frightening scene was captured on camera.”

Heavy rainfall resulting in landslides and related accidents presents a significant challenge for Uttarakhand each monsoon season. During the 2023 monsoon, it was reported that close to 100 people perished and many went missing throughout the June to September period.

Authorities have linked these deaths to frequent, dreadful landslides caused by heavy rainfall.

Dhami also called for a safety audit of all transformers during the rainy season and urged for rapid development of industrial institutions in the state to boost power generation.

The DD also said that due to heavy rain, six highways and 96 roads are closed in Uttarakhand. Landslides have blocked 47 rural roads.

Public Works Dept has reopened 24 roads. 72 roads remain closed with machinery on-site to clear them.