Uttarkashi Highways Blocked By Landslides Relief Work Underway
Uttarkashi: Connectivity to the sacred Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines has once again been cut off after landslides blocked multiple stretches of the national highways, prompting round-the-clock efforts to restore traffic and normalcy. Authorities confirmed that the Gangotri Highway is blocked near Dharasu Purana Thana and Sonagad, while the Yamunotri Highway is inaccessible at Kuthnaur and Naradchatti. Heavy debris, triggered by recent rains, has left hundreds of commuters stranded, disrupting both local livelihoods and the seasonal pilgrim flow that sustains the district’s fragile economy.
Officials acknowledged that the crisis has intensified following recent natural disasters in the Harsil–Dharali belt. A cloudburst earlier this month damaged road infrastructure and cut off critical supply chains, amplifying the need for rapid relief and long-term sustainable planning. On-site inspections have been led by senior district officials, who have directed agencies including the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and Public Works Department (PWD) to speed up debris clearance and stabilise slopes prone to recurring landslides.
The latest spell of landslides has also raised pressing concerns about the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather, a reality becoming more frequent with climate change. Experts in disaster risk management point out that unchecked construction, inadequate drainage, and deforestation along the fragile Himalayan slopes continue to aggravate the impact of monsoon rainfall. They stress that infrastructural planning must shift towards eco-sensitive models that balance connectivity with sustainability.
Transport and logistics remain paralysed in villages that depend on these arterial highways. Foodgrain movement, access to medical aid, and communication networks are under strain, although emergency relief teams are distributing essentials where possible. Officials have assured that arrangements for water, electricity, and healthcare are being prioritised alongside clearance operations.The highways hold immense spiritual, economic and cultural significance, connecting millions of pilgrims each year to the revered Himalayan shrines. However, the recurring pattern of road collapses and blockades has made many communities anxious about their long-term future. Local businesses, dependent on the inflow of devotees and tourists, warn of major financial losses if the disruptions continue through the peak pilgrimage season.
While clearance teams are working “on a war footing,” as officials describe, the larger debate revolves around resilience. Experts argue that any rebuilding of Himalayan infrastructure must integrate nature-based solutions—such as slope afforestation, sustainable drainage channels, and controlled construction zones—to reduce the carbon footprint of development. Without such steps, they caution, the Himalayan districts risk remaining locked in a cycle of repair and relief every monsoon. For now, Uttarkashi remains on edge. With highways to Gangotri and Yamunotri still blocked, the administration faces the dual task of restoring mobility in the short term and rethinking infrastructure policy in the long term to safeguard both lives and livelihoods in one of India’s most climate-sensitive regions.
