Uttarakhand being lashed by heavy rains and floods continuously for past one and a half months, saw a 180 feet concrete bridge being washed away in flash floods. Border Road Organization (BRO) however, reconstructed the span bridge in record three weeks time provided much needed succour to stranded villagers.
The bridge in Jauljibi sector of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand had been completely washed out due to a cloudburst in the region on 27th July,2020. The surrounding areas, rivers and nallas were enormously flooded which led the bridge covering a 50 metre area, to collapse completely. Many people lost their lives and the connectivity for 15000 people in 20 adjoining villages was hampered too.
The bridge has been completed by the organisation in a record time of less than three weeks. It was difficult to transport the required materials for construction as the weather had been wreaking havoc in the area. The 180 feet bailey bridge was completed on 16th August,v2020. The bridge has not only connected other towns and villages but also Munsiyari to Pithoragarh, which is the subdivision headquarter, that entails the revenue villages.
The bridge will help around 20,000 people residing in those 20 villages seeking help, to reconnect and heave a sigh of relief. The bridge will be very helpful in reintegrating lives in villages via proper transportation of support and supplies.
Local member of Parliament, Mr Ajay Tamta has been continuously reviewing the situation and expressed his concern about the many deaths that have happened in the villages Lumti and Mori, which have become completely isolated from the Jauljibi sector. These villages are 25 kilometres away from the sector.
Intermittent rains have led to the blockage of many roads and highways due to landslides. Connection between cities and villages has been severed, hampering transportation of essential supplies.
The Indian Meteorological Department has issued alerts for the weather to remain like this for sometime now.