Daijiworld Media Network – Uttarkashi

Uttarkashi, Jun 29: At least nine labourers are missing after a devastating cloudburst triggered a landslide near the Silai area along the Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district during the early hours of Sunday.

The cloudburst, which occurred around 3 am, washed away a campsite where 19 workers were staying near an under-construction hotel. While 10 labourers were rescued, nine are still unaccounted for, officials said.

“A new landslide zone has developed near the hotel where no such incident had occurred before. It was considered a safe area,” said Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya. “The rubble from the landslide hit the workers’ campsite, sweeping away part of it.”

Rescue operations are being carried out by teams from the NDRF, SDRF, and local police. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he is closely monitoring the situation and prayed for the safety of those missing.

Meanwhile, in light of continued heavy rainfall, the Char Dham Yatra has been temporarily suspended for a day. The India Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Uttarakhand, forecasting extremely heavy rainfall, lightning, and thunderstorms in several isolated locations on Sunday and Monday.

Officials have also been directed to monitor prices and prevent overcharging of food items.

The Char Dham Yatra, one of India's most revered pilgrimages, draws lakhs of devotees annually. The sacred circuit includes Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, with routes reopening each year between April and May.