Dehradun | Updated: July 11, 2026
Heavy rainfall triggered landslides across Uttarakhand, blocking 120 roads, including three national highways, and disrupting normal life in several districts.
Around 100 pilgrims were rescued on the Yamunotri route after a stretch of the Yamunotri National Highway remained cut off for two days.
According to the State Disaster Response Force, a large amount of debris blocked the highway at Syanachatti in Uttarkashi district on Thursday.
Officials said incessant rain triggered a landslide that washed away nearly 100 meters of the road.
Rescue personnel secured ropes along an alternative path and helped stranded pilgrims cross the affected stretch one by one.
The national highway had remained blocked for two days.
Officials said repair work is underway, but continuous rain and fresh debris falling from the hillside are slowing down restoration efforts.
Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya inspected the affected site on Saturday and directed officials to complete the construction of an alternative route at the earliest.
He also instructed National Highway Division Executive Engineer Manoj Rawat to complete the bridge over the Yamuna River at Syanachatti within a week.
Arya said the safety of pilgrims and local residents remains the administration’s top priority.
He directed officials to ensure adequate ropes, solar lights, and other safety measures at vulnerable points along the alternative pedestrian route.
According to the State Emergency Operation Center, the Rishikesh-Kedarnath National Highway is blocked near Sirobagar in the Rudraprayag district due to debris.
The Kotdwar-Satpuli National Highway also remains blocked in the Pauri district.
Clearance operations are underway on both routes.
The SEOC said a total of 120 roads across Uttarakhand are blocked due to landslides.
Officials also reported that a pickup vehicle carrying vegetables was damaged after debris fell from a hillside on the Gumkhal-Satpuli road late Friday night.
All three occupants of the vehicle, including the driver, escaped unhurt.
The Dehradun Meteorological Centre said several parts of Uttarakhand received heavy rainfall during the past 24 hours.
Kirtinagar recorded the highest rainfall at 135 mm, followed by Satpuli at 116 mm, Loharkhet at 89 mm, and Yameshwar at 71 mm.
Song recorded 67 mm of rainfall; Pokhari, 63 mm; Nandkesari, 55.6 mm; Rikhnikhal and Dewal, 53.5 mm each; and Thalisain, 53 mm.
Authorities have advised residents, pilgrims, and travelers to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel on vulnerable hill routes during the ongoing spell of heavy rain.
