Bridge Swept Away by Swollen River in Uttarakhand’s Niti Valley

A bridge in Uttarakhand’s Niti Valley was washed away after heavy rain caused the river to swell and water levels to rise sharply in Chamoli district.

A video of the incident doing rounds on internet, shows a strong flow of muddy water rushing through the valley and hitting the metal bridge. The force of the water quickly broke the bridge loose and carried it towards the riverbank.

The video also shows a truck and an SUV moving along the road near the river. Just before the bridge collapses into the water, both vehicles can be seen moving in another direction.

Chamoli police issued a statement on X, saying, "The Tamak drain is overflowing, damaging the bridge built over the drain, disrupting traffic beyond Malari. Currently, there is no report of any loss of life."

"Teams from the police, administration, SDRF, and NDRF have been dispatched to the scene. The situation is being continuously monitored," they added.

The bridge collapse has disrupted the connectivity of the area to the main town.

Meanwhile, the officials have asked people to stay away from the affected road and delay their travel until conditions return to normal. Those living near rivers and streams have also been told to keep a safe distance, as the water level may rise further.

“Due to heavy rainfall in the Niti Valley, the water level of the Alaknanda River has risen. From a safety perspective, police teams are appealing to people living along the riverbank to move to safe locations through loudspeakers/announcements,” Chamoli police further stated on X.