U’khand sees surge in Disasters & Accidents in June 2025
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 27 Jul: The June 2025 edition of the Uttarakhand Disaster & Accident Analysis Initiative (UDAAI) by Dehradun based environmental action and advocacy group SDC Foundation paints a grim picture of the scale and frequency of disasters in the ecologically fragile state. Compiled from credible media sources, the monthly UDAAI report has highlighted multiple fatal incidents linked to erratic weather, road conditions, poor infrastructure, and systemic lapses in safety mechanisms.
The month witnessed several high-casualty incidents across districts, including a tragic helicopter crash near Kedarnath on 15 June that killed seven, including a toddler. The incident prompted the suspension of Char Dham aviation services and the announcement of a high-level inquiry by the state government. “The crash once again raises serious questions about aviation safety, weather protocols, and oversight during the high-tourist season,” the report notes.
UDAAI also documented multiple road accidents and landslides, with over 60 fatalities reported in June alone. A devastating road mishap in Pithoragarh on 6 June killed six locals after their vehicle fell into the Gori Ganga River. Similarly, a bus enroute to Badrinath plunged into the Alaknanda River on 26 June, leaving three confirmed dead and nine missing.
Landslides caused by monsoon rains wreaked havoc across Chamoli, Uttarkashi, and Rudraprayag, disrupting Char Dham Yatra routes and killing pilgrims and labourers. On 28 June, a cloudburst-induced landslide buried a labourers’ camp in the district of Uttarkashi, killing two and leaving seven missing. The Yamuna River, swollen with debris from illegal dumping and unchecked construction, formed a temporary lake near Syana Chatti, posing further ecological and safety threats.
The report underlines that over 1,100 active landslide zones have been identified in the state. The Public Works Department has deployed 1,270 workers and 489 JCBs, along with 25 Bailey bridges and 482 helipads to support emergency response.
Commenting on the findings, Anoop Nautiyal, Founder of SDC Foundation, said, “Disasters in Uttarakhand are no longer exceptional events; they are becoming the norm. UDAAI aims to bring visibility to the human and ecological toll, and to trigger urgent political, administrative, and civil society action to overhaul disaster management and climate adaptation frameworks.”
The report calls on the state government and key institutions to build robust early-warning systems, regulate infrastructure development, ensure safer transportation routes, and enforce stricter compliance with environmental norms.
The UDAAI initiative, while not exhaustive, serves as a critical resource to track and analyse disaster trends in Uttarakhand. SDC Foundation has been consistently documenting disasters and accidents in Uttarakhand through its monthly UDAAI reports since October 2022. The June 2025 edition marks the 33rd report in this ongoing monthly series.
