Garhwal Post Bureau
PITHORAGARH, 4 Jul: In the Kumaon division, incessant monsoon rains have once again wreaked havoc, severely affecting life in the border district of Pithoragarh. Continuous downpours in the upper Himalayan regions, particularly in Dharchula and adjoining border areas, have led to landslides at several points along the national highway connecting the China border. As a result, more than 50 villages have been cut off from the tehsil headquarters at Dharchula. Though the highway has been reopened, recurring landslides due to rain continue to disrupt traffic.
The worst impact has been seen on the Tanakpur–Tawaghat national highway, where heavy debris and boulders fell near Tawaghat, forcing a complete halt to traffic. On the Adi Kailash pilgrimage route, falling rocks in the Malghat area have made movement risky for travellers and locals, though the road has been cleared and no pilgrim remains stranded. Authorities have nevertheless appealed to people to undertake journeys only after assessing weather conditions.
The Tawaghat–Lipulekh road, which serves as the Kailash Mansarovar route, has also been blocked at several points due to landslides. Similarly, the Tawaghat–Sobla–Tidang border road remains obstructed at four to five places, cutting off road connectivity to the China border. The impact has not been limited to the highways and the border roads alone, but even the pedestrian bridge connecting Ghatkhola to Siniyakhola in Dharchula tehsil was swept away in the strong current, halting local movement completely.
The pilgrims on the Adi Kailash route were stranded midway as falling rocks created panic, while vehicles heading towards Darma and Vyas valleys were stopped at Tawaghat. The region recorded 82 millimetres of rainfall overnight, worsening the situation further. The administration has urged people to avoid unnecessary travel and has intensified vigilance in sensitive areas.
According to the Public Works Department (PWD), a total of 13 roads remain closed in Pithoragarh, including 12 rural motor roads and one national highway. Reports confirm that the Thal–Munsyari motor road was blocked at kilometre 166, with restoration targeted by morning, while the Giniband–Samkot road at kilometre 9 was expected to reopen by afternoon. Other roads including Tawaghat–Thanidhar, Dungri–Vasuri, Bajne–Toli–Sitonia, Tapovan–Garbi, Sorna–Siroun, Matlot–Darma, Mansuri–Kanda, Kalika–Khurmi, Galati–Gumti and Chaurasang–Thanigaon remain closed due to debris and landslides.
Several rural roads under PMGSY have also been disrupted, with the Devibagad–Khetkanyala Gaderi road still under restoration after being washed out earlier. This has left many remote villages cut off. Teams of NH, PMGSY and PWD are working continuously with machines to clear the routes, but with the meteorological department forecasting more heavy rainfall in the coming hours, relief and restoration efforts are expected to take longer.
The administration has reiterated its appeal to the residents, the travellers and the pilgrims to remain cautious, and to avoid riverbanks and vulnerable slopes, and rely only on official advisories during the monsoon, as public safety remains the foremost priority.
