Uttarkashi: In Uttarkashi’s Dharali region, where the crucial Limchigad bridge was washed away in the August 5 cloudburst, severing a vital transportation link, efforts are in full swing to restore connectivity.
Police teams, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), engineers and other rescue units, along with the Indian Army’s engineering, search, medical and communication teams, have been working round the clock to construct a 90-foot Bailey bridge at Limchigad. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) and Army engineers are leading the construction, while clearance work is under way on heavily damaged stretches between Gangotri and Uttarkashi.
According to official figures, on August 9 alone, 33 helicopter sorties evacuated 195 civilians, while 200 tourists were helped across mudslide-affected zones. The bridge is now in its final stage of construction and is expected to open for traffic within hours, offering much-needed relief to residents and pilgrims in the disaster-hit area.
Sharing an update on X, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the Limchigad bridge was “extremely crucial from a connectivity perspective” and its loss had completely disrupted transportation. “Work was being carried out on a war footing to construct a Bailey bridge here,” he wrote, adding that the new bridge would be opened within hours to bring “significant relief” to those affected.
Meanwhile, search and rescue operations are continuing in Dharali, with helicopters flying continuous sorties from the Matli helipad in Uttarkashi to the affected zones.
Gangotri MLA Suresh Chauhan, who is visiting Dharali, said many people had already been rescued and praised the efforts of the Army, ITBP, SDRF and other rescue officials. “Roads are washed out in several places, but we are committed to restoring connectivity. The Chief Minister has also assured financial assistance for this,” he told IANS.
Earlier on Saturday, CM Dhami said the top priority was to move people to safety. “Despite adverse weather conditions, more than 1,000 people have been rescued so far, including local residents and pilgrims from across the country,” he noted. The Chief Minister also announced six months’ ration for affected families and financial aid for those whose houses were damaged.