Chamoli flash flood washes away bridge in Niti Valley

A sudden surge of water at Tamak Nala in the Niti Valley of Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district has washed away a Bailey bridge, severing road connectivity to approximately 13 to 16 villages and the border region. The incident occurred following heavy rainfall and a suspected cloudburst, causing the Jyotirmath-Malari motor road to be blocked.

Reports indicate that a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) driver, identified as Pankaj, and a vehicle were swept away by the powerful currents and remain missing. Search and rescue operations are currently being conducted by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to prioritize relief efforts and ensure that essential supplies, such as food and medicine, reach the isolated villages through alternative routes. Authorities have issued a flash flood risk advisory for several districts in Uttarakhand and advised residents in low-lying areas to move to safer locations as water levels in the Alaknanda River and local streams continue to rise.