Bridge collapse snaps Uttarkashi-Dharali route, rescue teams, relief reach by air

A powerful water surge and landslide have completely washed away a 50-meter-long concrete bridge near Gangwani, snapping road connectivity to the remote towns of Dharali and Harshil in Uttarakhand. What once stood as a strong valley bridge now lies in ruins.

The collapse has left the region reeling, with the vital land route severed and restoration likely to take several days.

The disaster struck with terrifying force, as the slide and rushing water swept through the valley, wiping out critical infrastructure.

India Today reached the nearest accessible point at Gangwani for an exclusive ground report, capturing the scale of destruction up close. The area around Ground Zero bears the deep footprints of the calamity — debris, broken concrete and mangled supports are all that remain of the bridge.

With the bridge connecting Uttarkashi to Harshil and Dharali completely collapsed, and the blocked road in Bhatwari still unopened, it is now almost impossible to reach Dharali by land. Gangwani Pass, the only viable land route, remains totally cut off, effectively isolating the region.

Many local residents have gathered near the site, desperate to cross the destroyed pass and reach Dharali in search of their missing family members.

With land access wiped out, all hope now rests on the air route. Authorities are attempting to send rescue teams and relief materials to Dharali via helicopters.

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