A bridge in Uttarakhand’s Niti Valley was swept away within seconds on Monday after strong currents triggered by heavy rainfall caused the river’s water level to rise sharply, cutting off the area from the main town. A video of the incident showed the force of the swollen river battering the structure before the bridge collapsed and was carried downstream. The destruction has disrupted connectivity in the region. No casualties were immediately reported in connection with the bridge being washed away. Authorities have advised people against travelling in the affected area amid concerns over continuing rainfall and rising water levels. The loss of the bridge has left local connectivity severely affected.
The incident comes amid persistent monsoon rainfall across Uttarakhand, which has caused rivers and streams to swell and increased the risk of flash floods and landslides in several parts of the hill state. Heavy rain has been affecting Uttarakhand for several days, with rising river levels prompting authorities to issue warnings to residents in vulnerable areas. The water level of the Sharda river, for instance, rose following rainfall in the upper reaches, prompting the administration to alert people living nearby.
An orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall was also issued for four districts on Monday, while schools up to Class 12 were ordered shut in Bageshwar as a precautionary measure. The latest bridge collapse has once again highlighted the vulnerability of road and bridge connectivity in Uttarakhand’s mountainous regions during periods of intense rainfall. With the bridge in Niti Valley gone, authorities have urged residents and travellers to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary movement through areas affected by swollen rivers and unstable terrain.