After days of heavy rainfall and landslides that disrupted travel and infrastructure in Uttarakhand, the Yamunotri National Highway near Maher village has been made operational for traffic, according to an update from the Uttarkashi Police on June 30, 2025.
In a post on X, the police confirmed: "The blocked Yamunotri National Highway near Maher village has been made operational for traffic. The work of making the blocked Yamunotri Highway operational between Silai Band-Ojri and Paligad-Kuthnaur is in progress."
Road Blockages and Rescue Efforts
The highway had been blocked at two critical points between Silai Band and Ojri after a section of the road was washed away due to torrential rains. Additionally, the Brahmkhal-Mahargaon stretch was blocked by landslide debris, with ongoing clearance operations being carried out by disaster response teams.
According to the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), Tehri Garhwal received an average of 79.2 mm rainfall on June 29, leading to widespread disruptions. Power outages were reported in Agrakhaal, Chamba, Jakhindhar, and Dughamandar, while water supply systems were also affected in the Chamba block.
Cloudburst Triggers Tragedy
Earlier, a cloudburst near Barkot caused a major landslide, tragically killing two laborers and leaving seven others missing. The incident occurred at a labor camp near Silai Band on the Yamunotri Highway. Rescue and relief teams remain on-site, continuing their search and recovery operations.
Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed that the damaged section of the Barkot-Yamunotri road before Silai Band has been repaired. “The washout caused by the cloudburst has been restored. Work is ongoing to repair other damaged sections,” Arya stated to ANI.
Char Dham Yatra Resumes
Amid improving conditions, the 24-hour suspension of the Char Dham Yatra—imposed due to a heavy rain alert—has now been lifted. Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey announced the resumption of the pilgrimage and emphasized that District Magistrates have been instructed to regulate traffic along the route based on local weather conditions.
Safety Advisory for Pilgrims and Tourists
While partial road access has been restored, authorities continue to urge caution for travelers and pilgrims. With the monsoon season in full swing, flash floods, landslides, and cloudbursts remain potential threats in high-altitude and landslide-prone zones across Uttarakhand.
(With inputs from ANI)
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