Chamoli, August 12, 2026: Vehicle movement has resumed on the route across Tamak Nala in Niti Valley after the district administration and concerned departments completed a temporary road restoration project in record time.
The route was disrupted when heavy rain caused Tamak Nala to swell and wash away a Bailey bridge, cutting off vehicular movement in the area. Acting on Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s directions, teams worked continuously to restore connectivity and prepare a temporary motor road.
Hume pipes were placed across the affected stretch to create a temporary crossing and enable vehicles to pass. The route became operational soon after the work was completed, providing relief to residents and others who depend on the road for essential movement.
Dhami congratulated the district administration and departmental teams for restoring traffic within a short period. He had directed officials to construct a temporary bridge or alternative route at the earliest and ensure that connectivity was restored without compromising safety.
The Chief Minister had been monitoring the situation closely and receiving regular updates from Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swarup and the Chamoli District Magistrate. Updates included information about relief work, rescue operations and progress on road restoration.
A search operation is also continuing for a person reported missing after the Bailey bridge was swept away. On the second day of the operation, teams from the district administration, police, Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force and Border Roads Organisation were jointly searching riverbanks and other likely locations.
The administration is keeping a close watch on the situation and has instructed the teams at the site to follow strict safety protocols in view of the weather and the water level in Tamak Nala.
Local residents and vehicle operators have been advised to exercise extreme caution while using the temporary route. They have also been asked to follow the instructions issued by the administration and departmental personnel deployed at the site.
