Uttarakhand Weather Alert: Disaster in Uttarakhand! More than 160 roads closed due to heavy rains and landslides, 2 national highways closed; Difficulties increased for Chardham pilgrims

The torrential monsoon rains in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand have once again caused devastation and huge upheaval in life. Due to continuous rains for the last several days, the connectivity of the state has been completely affected due to landslides and debris at many places in the hilly areas of the state. According to the report of Public Works Department (PWD) and Disaster Management Department, today on July 21, 2026, more than 160 rural and link roads are closed across the state, while 2 important National Highways are completely closed due to debris. From a reporter’s point of view, the heavy rains in the mountains have not only cut off contact with the local villagers, but have also created a crisis in the movement of thousands of devotees on the holy Char Dham Yatra.

Yamunotri and Badrinath National Highway closed due to debris

Heavy boulders and debris have fallen on main traffic routes due to landslides in hilly areas after rain:

• Yamunotri National Highway (NH-123/94): The highway has been closed for hours due to heavy debris near Dabarkot and Syanachatti on Yamunotri route in Uttarkashi district. Due to road blockage, long queues of vehicles of pilgrims going to Yamunotri Dham and returning have formed.

• Badrinath National Highway (NH-58): In Chamoli district, traffic is moving intermittently due to repeated falling of debris from the hills near Chhinka, Pagalnala and Lambagad.

More than 160 rural roads blocked, JCB machines deployed

According to the data of the Disaster Management Department, the situation remains most sensitive in the districts of Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh:

• Road network broken: Due to the closure of more than 160 internal and connecting roads, direct contact of dozens of villages with the tehsil and district headquarters has been cut off.

• Relief work continues: The Public Works Department (PWD) and NHAI have deployed more than 100 JCB and heavy dozer machines to open the closed roads. However, due to intermittent rains and stones falling from above, there are huge challenges in removing the debris.

Meteorological Department’s Yellow and Orange Alert: Appeal to postpone travel

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Dehradun, Nainital, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh and Pauri districts of Uttarakhand for the next 48 hours:

• Administration warning: The Disaster Management Authority has appealed to the devotees and tourists coming on Chardham Yatra to plan their journey only after seeing the latest weather conditions.

• Caution in sensitive areas: People living near rivers and streams have been advised to move to safe places, as the water level of Alaknanda, Mandakini, Bhagirathi and Yamuna rivers is approaching the danger mark.