Dehradun (Uttarakhand): The Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway near Karnaprayag has been blocked due to continuous rainfall, leading to falling debris from the mountains, officials reported on Saturday.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand: Rishikesh-Badrinath highway blocked near Karnaprayag since last night due to debris falling from the mountain.
— ANI (@ANI) March 1, 2025
Due to continuous rainfall, the highway is closed due to debris falling at various places on the highway. pic.twitter.com/APsw8kw2wr
Key Affected Areas
- Multiple locations, including Animath and Pagal Nala in the Jyotirmath Kotwali region, have been impacted.
- Authorities are working to clear the debris and restore traffic movement.
- The highway was previously closed on Friday after a significant avalanche in Chamoli district.
Rescue Operations in Chamoli
Several BRO workers engaged in road construction were trapped under snow after a massive avalanche struck Mana village in Chamoli.
Latest Updates on BRO Workers’ Rescue
- 33 workers have been rescued as of Saturday.
- 22 workers are still awaiting rescue efforts.
- Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating efforts with officials on-site.
Government Response
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured that the government’s priority is to safely evacuate the trapped workers.
- CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has been in constant contact with disaster response teams and is overseeing the clearance operations.
- The Uttarakhand government has issued emergency helpline numbers for assistance:
📞 Mobile: 8218867005, 9058441404
☎ Telephone: 0135 2664315
📢 Toll-Free: 1070
Ongoing Efforts
- Heavy machinery and rescue teams from ITBP, NDRF, SDRF, BRO, and local administration are deployed.
- Weather conditions remain challenging, but helicopter operations and snow-clearing efforts are in progress.
- Authorities are urging travelers to avoid the affected route until further notice.