At least nine workers have gone missing after a cloudburst struck near an under-construction hotel site in Paligad-Silai Band area of Tehsil Barkot, in Uttarkashi district, during the early hours of Sunday. The incident occurred around 2:00 AM, prompting a large-scale search and rescue operation.
According to Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya, teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police have been rushed to the site to locate the missing individuals. As of now, there have been no reports of confirmed casualties, but efforts are ongoing amid challenging weather conditions.
Rescue Operations Underway
The affected area has been lashed by intense rainfall, with debris and water flow severely hampering accessibility. The under-construction hotel reportedly bore the brunt of the cloudburst, leading to the sudden disappearance of the workers who were stationed there at the time.
Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and additional support may be deployed if required.
Rainfall Disrupts Kedarnath Route
Elsewhere in the state, heavy rains have led to disruption of movement along the Sonprayag-Munkatiya road in Rudraprayag district, which serves as a base for Kedarnath-bound pilgrims. Debris from landslides has blocked the route, and caution is being advised to pilgrims and travelers alike.