By Sunil Negi
PAURI GARHWAL | 18 August 2026
A massive landslide in Mahargaon village of Rikhanikhal block, Pauri Garhwal district has claimed three lives. The victims, who were buried under rubble during heavy monsoon rains, were declared dead after their bodies were retrieved from the debris.
The tragedy has once again exposed the vulnerability of remote hill villages during monsoon, with locals complaining that relief operations were not carried out in time.
District Magistrate of Pauri Garhwal, IAS Swati Bhadoria, along with her team, reached the disaster-hit village on Monday. Due to blocked roads, the DM had to walk 3 kilometers on foot to reach Mahargaon and take direct charge of the relief and rescue operations.
According to the district administration, the bodies of three people buried under the debris were recovered during the operation. The families of the deceased were immediately provided financial assistance totaling ₹14 lakh, which also includes compensation for damaged houses.
DM Swati Bhadoria met the affected families and consoled them. She directed officials to expedite restoration of essential services including electricity and drinking water in the rain-affected area.
The administration maintained that it responded swiftly despite heavy rains and difficult terrain.
While the announcement of relief has brought some support to the grieving families, villagers said ₹14 lakh seems very little compared to the loss of three invaluable lives along with complete destruction of houses and property. The situation warrants the immediate intervention of the chief minister.
Residents of Mahargaon alleged delays in the initial response and demanded better disaster preparedness and early warning systems in landslide-prone areas of the district.
With continuous rain forecast, the administration has been put on high alert across Pauri Garhwal, as several other villages remain cut off due to road blockades and landslides.
