Uttarakhand Bridge Swept Away by Floodwaters, Niti Valley Cut Off
Uttarakhand bridge swept away by strong currents on camera
A metal bridge was swept away within seconds by powerful river currents following continuous heavy rainfall in the region. The collapse severed an important road connection and left parts of the valley cut off from the nearest main town, prompting authorities to advise residents and visitors against travelling through the affected area.
A video of the incident showed a large volume of muddy water rushing downstream and striking the bridge with considerable force. The structure was uprooted and pushed towards the riverbank within moments. A truck and an SUV travelling along a nearby road were also seen turning away from the approaching danger in time.
Authorities asked people to postpone journeys through Niti Valley until weather and road conditions improve and the administration issues clearance. Residents living near rivers and streams were advised to maintain a safe distance from the banks because continued rainfall could cause water levels to rise further without warning.
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Uttarakhand Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said the state had been experiencing continuous rainfall since Sunday night. He identified Dehradun, Bageshwar, Nainital and Champawat among the affected districts and warned that widespread rain was expected to continue across Uttarakhand.
Suman said there could be a temporary reduction in rainfall during the evening before another spell at night. Disaster-management teams were closely monitoring vulnerable areas as persistent rain increased the danger of landslides, overflowing rivers, road blockages and damage to infrastructure across the mountainous state.
The administration is also conducting awareness programmes in landslide-prone locations to explain the precautions residents should take during severe weather. Officials have urged people to follow official advisories, avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from unstable slopes and swollen waterways until conditions become safer.
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