Cloudburst at Chamoli triggered flashfloods destroying irin bridge, heavy machinery in the Nitin Valley

Chamoli: A cloudburst-triggered flash flood in Niti Valley of Chamoli district on Thursday caused massive destruction as a raging torrent of water, boulders and debris swept through the mountainous region, forcefully carrying away a huge iron bridge along with several pieces of heavy machinery stationed nearby.

According to local officials and eyewitnesses, the floods in Niti Ghati came down with such intensity that the strong iron bridge, which connected key habitations and was used for movement of both people and construction vehicles, was uprooted and washed away within minutes. The force of the water was so severe that even excavators, drilling machines and other heavy equipment deployed for border road and hydel-related work were tossed away like toys and buried under silt and boulders downstream.

The sudden surge in the river was reportedly caused by heavy rainfall in the upper reaches of the valley, leading to a rapid rise in water level and landslides that choked the natural flow. Villagers said they heard a deafening roar before the floodwaters hit the bridge site. No loss of human life has been reported so far, but the damage to infrastructure has cut off connectivity in parts of the valley and disrupted ongoing work.

District administration and police teams rushed to the spot after receiving information. The Border Roads Organisation and disaster response teams have been alerted to assess the damage and restore temporary connectivity. Officials said an assessment of losses is underway and that clearing of debris will begin once the water level recedes.

Niti Valley, located close to the India-China border, is prone to such extreme weather events during the monsoon. Local residents have demanded early warning systems and stronger, flood-resistant infrastructure in the region.

The administration has urged people living in low-lying areas along the river to remain alert and avoid going near the riverbanks until the weather stabilizes.