A tragic road accident claimed the lives of five people on Friday evening when a car plunged into a deep gorge near Koreldhar village in Chamoli district. The victims, all from Harmani village, were returning home after attending a wedding ceremony in Nijmula.

Accident Due to Loss of Control on Hilly Road

The accident occurred at around 6:30 PM along the Birhi–Nijmula road. Officials reported that the vehicle lost control and fell several hundred meters into the valley, resulting in instant fatalities.

Bad Weather and Poor Visibility Delayed Rescue Efforts

Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms in the region severely affected the emergency response. Poor visibility and dangerous road conditions made it difficult to relay information and carry out a timely rescue operation.

Rescue Operations Hampered by Rain and Darkness

Chamoli District Magistrate Dr. Sandeep Tiwari confirmed that teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and revenue officials reached the site. However, continuous rain and darkness posed significant challenges in retrieving the bodies from the gorge. Rescue operations are still underway.

Precautionary Measures Issued Amid Rain Alert

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had already issued a rain alert for the region earlier in the day. In response, DM Tiwari declared a holiday for all schools and Anganwadi centres in the district as a safety precaution and advised residents to avoid non-essential travel.

Chief Minister Dhami Offers Condolences

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He extended condolences to the bereaved families and directed the district authorities to provide financial aid in accordance with government norms.