Uttarakhand’s Badrinath National Highway, a vital artery for pilgrims and tourists alike, has been thrown into chaos after a massive landslide on Tuesday morning. A terrifying video circulating online shows a colossal chunk of the mountainside crumble. It plummetted onto the road near Chungi Dhar in Joshimath, completely blocking the route.
Landslide On Badrinath National Highway
Major Landslide in Badrinath highway near Patal Ganga , Uttarakhand
We need to stop playing with Himalayas in the name of different forms of Tourism
It’s a serious warning from Mother Nature 🗻#earthquake #Landslide #Joshimath pic.twitter.com/Q2gfKQVqoW
— Veena Jain (@DrJain21) July 10, 2024
This incident, which unfolded around July 9, sent shockwaves through the region. The dramatic collapse, captured on video, triggered panic amongst travellers who witnessed the mountain literally break apart. This latest event comes just days after another landslide struck the same area. It raised serious concerns about the stability of the mountain slopes in the wake of heavy monsoon rains.
Adding to the eerieness of the situation, reports indicate clear weather at the time of the landslide. Despite the absence of rain, the mountains appeared to be on the verge of collapse, raising questions about the underlying geological factors at play.
Hundreds of vehicles and people were left stranded on both sides of the blocked highway. Authorities were already battling to clear debris from an earlier landslide that occurred that same morning when the second, more significant collapse occurred. The situation called for a swift response. Police and emergency services were immediately deployed to the scene to clear the debris and reopen the crucial highway.
Urgent Need For Proactive Measures
Major Landslide in Badrinath highway near Patal Ganga , Uttarakhand
We need to stop playing with Himalayas in the name of different forms of Tourism
It’s a serious warning from Mother Nature 🗻#earthquake #Landslide #Joshimath pic.twitter.com/Q2gfKQVqoW
— Veena Jain (@DrJain21) July 10, 2024
While the exact timeframe for reopening the road remains unclear, reports suggest it might be operational again by late tonight. However, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the immense dangers posed by the fragile mountain environment, especially during periods of heavy rainfall.
The incessant monsoon rains have caused widespread disruption across Uttarakhand. Landslides have cut off numerous roads, leaving villages in Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar districts struggling with severe waterlogging.
The repeated landslides on the Badrinath Highway underscore the urgent need for proactive measures to ensure the safety of travellers on these vital routes. Alarmed by the rising number of landslides, experts are urging us to heed their long-standing warnings about the precarious state of the Himalayan ecosystem.
The situation in Uttarakhand remains fluid. The focus remains on clearing the debris and reopening the highway as quickly as possible. However, the long-term challenge lies in addressing the root causes of these landslides and implementing sustainable solutions to safeguard this ecologically fragile region.
Cover Image Courtesy: @AjitSinghRathi/X (Formerly, Twitter)