Flash floods in Uttarakhand wash away bridge, stranding over 200 people in Pithoragarh

Flash floods triggered by heavy rain in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district have resulted in over 200 individuals, including tourists, being stranded as a bridge washed away and debris accumulated.

The incident took place in the Dhauli river area of Darma in Pithoragarh on Friday. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has been deployed for rescue operations. With the bridge washed away and debris obstructing the area, numerous locals found themselves trapped. Visuals showed them navigating against the forceful water flow.

Divesh Shashni, sub-divisional magistrate of Dharchula, stated that the situation was caused by heavy rain rather than a cloud burst. He mentioned that the district administration has dispatched a team to repair the trolley bridge, but it may take up to a week to have a new bridge in place.

Recent heavy rains in Uttarakhand have led to two fatalities in rain-related incidents, with landslides blocking several roads and water levels rising in rivers, including the Ganges. Additionally, the Badrinath national highway near Chhinka has been blocked due to falling boulders, following previous closures due to incessant rainfall in Chamoli.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow warning for heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning in isolated areas of the plains, low hills, and mid hills until July 9.

Continued heavy rainfall is expected in Uttarakhand, Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, and Gujarat regions for the next five days, according to the IMD.