Uttarakhand flashfloods: Swollen river rips apart bridge, sweeps away vehicles in Chamoli

PTC News Desk: A sudden flood caused by cloudbursts and heavy monsoon rain turned the Tamak drain in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district into a powerful stream. The strong current washed away a Bailey bridge, a vehicle and a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) driver.

The bridge was located on the Malari-Niti National Highway, which connects Jyotirmath with the border areas. Its collapse cut road access to around a dozen villages, including Jumma and Niti, and disrupted connectivity to the frontier.

#WATCH | Chamoli, Uttarakhand: Bailey bridge washed away at Tamaknala after heavy upstream rainfall caused a sudden swell in the Tamak stream. NDRF and SDRF teams reach ground zero.

(Source: SDRF) pic.twitter.com/1NJb4BQg2l

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A BRO driver identified as Pankaj, who was from Pithoragarh district, was watching the floodwaters when the bridge suddenly collapsed. He was swept away by the current and remained missing. Rescue teams from the district administration, SDRF and NDRF were sent to the area to search for him.

Authorities also stopped traffic on nearby roads as a precaution. Officials were assessing the damage, while the BRO started working on temporary arrangements to restore connectivity. Chamoli District Disaster Management Officer NK Joshi said traffic could be restored within a day or two.

Floods and landslides in the Tamak drain have caused repeated damage to the Joshimath-Niti road in recent years. Flood debris has also frequently blocked the nearby Dhauli Ganga river.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to step up rescue and relief work and take necessary precautions in areas downstream.

He also instructed officials to make sure that the supply of ration, food, medicines and other essential items to nearby villages is not disrupted because of the bridge collapse.