A major cloudburst struck the Barkot-Yamunotri area of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand, causing devastation at a construction site where 17 labourers were present at the time of the incident. According to the police around nine road construction labourers are feared to have been swept away following the cloudburst along the Yamunotri National Highway early on Sunday.
Rescue operations are being carried out by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police teams, who rushed to the spot shortly after the incident was reported. However, heavy rains and debris flow have made rescue efforts extremely challenging.
Medical teams, fire brigade units, and the district administration are also present at the site to support the ongoing efforts. Rescue teams are continuing to search for the labourers trapped under the debris.
Dead bodies of two out of the nine workers reported missing from an under-construction hotel in Silai Band, located on the Barkot–Yamunotri road in Uttarkashi, have been recovered.
According to the Uttarkashi District Magistrate's office, the incident triggered multiple landslides, two before Silai Band, and also caused a road washout at one location.
CM Dhami on incident
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he was in constant touch with the concerned authorities regarding the tragic landslide incident in the Silai Band area of Barkot Tehsil, Uttarkashi district, where several workers were reported missing.
He added that teams from SDRF, NDRF, and other departments had reached the site and were engaged in intensive relief and rescue operations. He expressed hope and prayed for the safety of everyone affected.
Mandakini river water level rises in Chitrakoot
In a related development, heavy rainfall in Chitrakoot has led to a significant rise in the water level of the Mandakini River. The municipal council and disaster management teams are stationed in the control room, continuously monitoring the situation.
To ensure safety, announcements are being made via the PA system, urging residents in low-lying riverbank areas to remain cautious.
Badrinath Highway blocked
Meanwhile, the Chamoli Police informed through an X post that the Badrinath National Highway has been blocked near Komeda and Nandprayag due to ongoing weather conditions. Authorities across the region are on high alert, and rescue and monitoring efforts are expected to continue through the day.
