Hill Collapse Shuts Down Key Highway Near Zero Point
A landslide on Friday caused a hill along the Dharchula-Tawaghat National Highway in Uttarakhand to collapse, forcing the closure of the highway near Zero Point. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were reported, and witnesses confirmed that no vehicles were passing through the area during the incident, averting a major tragedy.

Vehicles Stranded as Landslide Blocks Road

The landslide left dozens of vehicles stranded on both sides of the highway. Authorities are working to clear the rubble and reopen the route. The incident highlights the increasing vulnerability of Uttarakhand to landslides, often triggered by rampant construction and extreme weather conditions.

Uttarakhand: A State Prone to Landslides

Landslides in Uttarakhand have become a growing concern, with 2024 recording the highest number of landslides since 2018. According to reports:

• 84 lives were lost during the monsoon season this year.
• 28 people remain missing.
• A total of 292 landslides occurred by the end of the monsoon season.
• Districts like Almora, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri, Udham Singh Nagar, and Uttarkashi were heavily affected.

Alarming Landslide Statistics

Over the years, Uttarakhand has seen a sharp rise in landslide incidents:

• 2024: 1,100 landslides (highest since 2018)
• 2023: 245 landslides
• 2022: 354 landslides
• 2021: 328 landslides
• 2020: 254 landslides
• 2018: 2,016 landslides

Between 1988 and 2023, a staggering 12,319 landslides were recorded in the state, according to a report by The New Indian Express.

Rampant Construction: A Ticking Time Bomb

Experts blame uncontrolled construction for the increased landslide activity in Uttarakhand, calling it a ticking time bomb. The fragile Himalayan terrain is further destabilized by infrastructure projects, leading to frequent natural disasters.

Uttarakhand’s struggle with landslides underscores the urgent need for sustainable development and disaster management strategies to ensure the safety of residents and travelers.