By Sulagna Halder
Uttarkashi, 29 June 2025:
A massive landslide engulfed a workers' camp at an under construction hotel along the Barkot–Yamunotri highway on Sunday morning, following a devastating cloudburst near Silai Band in Uttarkashi district.
Rescue efforts are continuing despite challenging terrain and continuous rain, and officials say nine laborers are missing after the collapse. About 19 workers had been at the location when the camp was washed away by an unexpected flood of water and debris, according to District Magistrate Prashant Arya. Eight to nine of them are still missing. He said, "Teams from the SDRF, NDRF, and local police have been deployed and are conducting intensive relief and rescue operations."
According to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the cloudburst that occurred early on Sunday caused significant damage in the vicinity of the Yamunotri National Highway. He posted on X, saying, "Some employees have been reported missing. I pray for everyone's safety and stay in close communication with the authorities. Heavy rainfall and blocked roads are impeding operations. Along with causing landslides throughout the area, the cloudburst blocked parts of the Badrinath highway and other roads.
Important routes have been blocked, and adjacent agricultural land has been impacted by debris and floodwater damage. In anticipation of more heavy to extremely heavy rain on Sunday and Monday, the India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Uttarakhand.
Search crews are searching the collapsed area and downstream portions of the riverbed for potential survivors using boats, ropes, and equipment. To support the operation, district authorities and humanitarian organisations have established emergency shelters, medical assistance, and food supplies. The missing workers are of Nepali descent, officials emphasise, and were residing in makeshift tents next to the hotel construction site. The local government has also suspended yatra movement through the impacted area until safety is guaranteed, as the Yamunotri pilgrimage season is well underway.
Authorities have advised locals and visitors to avoid landslide prone and riverbank locations until the weather stabilises. The state administration is keeping a careful eye on the situation and intends to resume rescue efforts and connectivity as soon as the rain stops.
