Heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand has triggered fresh landslides, blocked more than 80 roads and disrupted traffic on several important routes, including the busy Dehradun-Mussoorie road, as the hill state continues to grapple with an intense monsoon spell.
Light to heavy rain lashed several parts of Uttarakhand over the past 24 hours, bringing down muck, debris and boulders on roads and forcing authorities to deploy machinery at multiple locations. Pithoragarh reported 16 blocked roads, while 14 were shut in Chamoli and five in Dehradun. The continuing rain has complicated restoration efforts, with repaired stretches vulnerable to fresh landslides and subsidence.
Mussoorie road briefly shut
Traffic on the Dehradun-Mussoorie road was halted for around an hour near Pani Wala Bend after part of a stretch undergoing repairs subsided following overnight rainfall.
Fresh muck and boulders fell onto the route, leading to a long queue of tourist vehicles travelling towards Mussoorie. People heading towards Uttarkashi through Suwakholi were also stranded.
Authorities diverted vehicles through the Kimadi route while road-clearing teams worked to remove debris. Traffic was subsequently restored after one side of the affected stretch was cleared, although only light vehicles were initially permitted to move alternately.
Mussoorie Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rahul Anand said continuous rainfall was hampering repair operations. A portion damaged earlier had been taken up for restoration, but fresh accumulation of muck and persistent rain caused another section to subside.
The administration expects repair work to gather pace once the region gets a sustained spell of dry weather.
Gangotri highway hit
The Gangotri National Highway was also temporarily blocked near Netala in Uttarkashi district after debris and boulders came down on the road following overnight rain.
The blockage was reported at around 7.41 am. The Border Roads Organisation deployed heavy machinery and earthmovers to clear the debris, allowing traffic to resume after the route was restored.
Repeated disruption of highways and rural roads has become a major concern during the current monsoon, particularly in mountainous districts where saturated slopes remain vulnerable to landslides.
Earlier this month, heavy rainfall had pushed the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers above their danger marks and led to blockages on several highways, underscoring the continuing vulnerability of the state during prolonged spells of rain.
Tehri reservoir above warning mark
Authorities are also keeping watch on water levels at the Tehri reservoir. At 8 am, the reservoir level stood at 818.73 metres, above its warning mark of 815 metres but below the danger level of 830 metres.
The dam was discharging 19,495 cusecs of water, according to officials.
With rainfall continuing, agencies responsible for highways and local roads remain engaged in clearing debris and restoring connectivity across affected districts.
More rain in forecast
The weather outlook has added to concerns over further disruption. The India Meteorological Department has forecast heavy rainfall over Uttarakhand on Sunday as widespread monsoon activity continues across several parts of the country.
The persistent rain means freshly cleared routes could face renewed blockages from falling rocks, debris or slope failures. Travellers, particularly those heading towards hill destinations and pilgrimage routes, may consequently face delays and diversions.
For Uttarakhand, the latest spell adds to weeks of monsoon-related disruption. Authorities are continuing restoration work across the state, but with more than 80 roads still blocked and rain complicating repairs, restoring normal connectivity remains a challenge.