Tragedy struck early Sunday in Uttarkashi district when a landslide triggered by a cloudburst swept through a construction site along the Yamunotri National Highway, killing two workers and leaving seven others missing, officials said.
The bodies of the two missing labourers were found from the banks of the Yamuna River, near Tiladi Shaheed Smarak, roughly 18 km from the landslide-hit site, said Sub-Inspector Vikram Singh.
The bodies have been sent to the Naugaon Community Health Centre, though their identities have yet to be confirmed.
The victims, believed to be of Nepali origin, were working on the construction of a hotel when the landslide hit their temporary shelters. The incident occurred near Silai bend, about 4 km beyond Paligad, District Magistrate Prashant Arya stated.
The authorities say a new landslide zone has formed near the hotel site, which sits above the camp where the workers had been staying. When the landslide struck, 29 labourers were present at the location. While 20 were safely evacuated, nine were swept away as nearly 10 meters of the highway collapsed due to the force of the debris and water.
Rescue efforts are currently being led by teams from the NDRF, SDRF, and the local police, with search operations continuing for the missing workers. The highway remains blocked at Silai bend and Gujri bend, so devotes returning from Yamunotri have been asked to stay at safe locations.
District officials have urged pilgrims to stay at safe locations until the highway is cleared. A PWD team is actively working to remove the debris and restore access, though it may take several hours.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed concern and offered prayers for the safety of those still missing. "Search and rescue operations are underway at the site. I am constantly in touch with the officials concerned," he said.
The missing labourers are said to be of Nepali origin, Barkot SHO Deepak Kathait said.
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