A sudden and powerful flash flood in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district has caused widespread disruption, sweeping away a crucial Bailey bridge and leaving a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) vehicle and its driver missing. The incident, which occurred over the Tamak Nala on Monday evening, August 10, has prompted an immediate and extensive rescue effort across the region.
Bridge Collapse Disrupts Key Route
The Bailey bridge, located along the strategically vital Jyotirmath–Malari/Niti route, collapsed under the impact of raging floodwaters and debris. This disruption has cut off critical connectivity towards the Niti Valley and areas near the India-China border, impacting remote villages and border movements.
Chamoli Additional District Magistrate Vivek Prakash confirmed the severity of the event, stating, “There is a Tamak Nala, and a very strong surge of water occurred there this evening at 5:30 PM. A Bailey bridge at the site was washed away; BRO officials and staff were present in the immediate vicinity. A BRO vehicle and its driver have gone missing.”
Extensive Search and Rescue Operations Underway
Following the disaster, multiple agencies swiftly mobilized. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and district administration were dispatched to the affected Tamak Nala area. As of Tuesday morning, these teams have reached ground zero and commenced search and rescue operations, primarily focusing on locating the missing BRO driver.
Authorities are also assessing the full extent of the damage caused by the flash flood, which struck around 5:30 PM on Monday. The challenging terrain and ongoing monsoon risks are complicating the rescue efforts, with officials continuously monitoring water levels and vulnerable locations.
Chief Minister Orders Relief and Monitoring
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took immediate cognizance of the incident. He has directed officials to prioritize rescue and relief operations, emphasizing the need for swift action and coordination among various departments.
CM Dhami instructed the administration to maintain vigilance, ensure the safety of residents in vulnerable areas, and make arrangements to secure the supply of essential commodities to villages affected by the severed connectivity. Continuous monitoring of the situation is underway as rescue efforts persist. While the search for the missing BRO driver continues, no additional confirmed casualties have been reported so far.