Gopeshwar (Chamoli): A flood in the Tamak stream in Niti Valley has created a major disruption after a valley bridge on the Jyotirmath-Niti-Malari Highway was swept away. Rescue teams have been searching since morning for a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) havildar who went missing during the incident.
The BRO is also working on a plan to restore connectivity by constructing a temporary road through the stream itself. A vehicle that was near the site during the disaster was also washed away along with the missing soldier.
The flash flood occurred in the Tamak stream near Tamak village, around 40 kilometres from Jyotirmath. A cloudburst in the upper reaches of the stream triggered a sudden rise in the water level on Monday, damaging infrastructure along the highway.
According to local information, the water level in the Tamak stream first rose at around 3 pm. It increased again at around 4:30 pm, damaging agricultural fields near the bridge. Water also entered parts of the highway.
However, around 5 pm, the stream witnessed a sudden and intense surge of water, which swept away the valley bridge constructed by 123 BRTF, Surai Thota.
During the incident, BRO Havildar Pankaj was attempting to move towards a safer location on foot when he was caught in the floodwaters and went missing.
A BRO camper vehicle parked near the bridge was also swept away. Several houses in the surrounding area were damaged in the incident.
Rescue teams have been conducting search operations for the missing havildar since morning. Meanwhile, the BRO is assessing the situation and working on an alternative arrangement to restore movement on the affected highway.
Intermittent rainfall has continued in the area since Monday night, adding to the challenges faced by rescue and road restoration teams.
