Uttarakhand Deluge Tears Down Niti Valley Bridge

Dehradun, August 10, 2026 Relentless rain in Uttarakhand has intensified the threat from swollen rivers and unstable terrain, with a bridge in Chamoli district’s Niti Valley being swept away by a powerful water surge. The incident reflects the dangerous conditions developing across several parts of the hill state as rainfall continues. Footage from the spot shows a large, muddy flow rushing through the valley before striking the metal bridge. The structure could not withstand the force of the current and was pulled apart from its position before being carried towards the side of the river. At the same time, a truck and an SUV travelling on the road beside the river are seen moving away from the area moments before the bridge collapsed. The loss of the bridge has disrupted connectivity between the affected location and the main town. Officials have advised people to stay away from the area and avoid undertaking journeys until the situation becomes safer and authorities issue further instructions. Those residing close to rivers and streams have also been cautioned to maintain a considerable distance from the water, given the possibility of additional rises in river levels amid continuing rain. Uttarakhand Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said that rainfall has continued across the state since Sunday night, with Dehradun, Bageshwar, Nainital and Champawat among the areas experiencing its impact. "It will rain in the entire state. And the rain will continue continuously. There will be a gap of some time in the evening. After this, like it rained last night, it will rain again like this in the night," Suman tol. He further said that officials are conducting awareness programmes in locations vulnerable to landslides and explaining safety measures to residents. The bridge collapse underscores the immediate challenges created by intense rainfall in Uttarakhand’s mountainous terrain. As the weather system continues to bring rain, authorities are stressing caution, limited movement in vulnerable areas and adherence to official advisories to reduce the risk to residents and travellers.