A rockfall occurred on the Dharchula-Lipulekh road in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. The rockfall was caused by road widening and tectonic activities. The area is prone to landslides due to unstable rocks caused by road construction.
The route, linking Lipulekh and Dharchula, is commonly used by pilgrims visiting Parvati Tal and Adi Kailash. Interestingly, this incident took place shortly after a visit to the area by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Officials have suggested that recent road widening activities may have contributed to the instability leading to the rockfall. The region is known for its susceptibility to landslides, particularly in areas where road construction has destabilized the rock formations. Ecologists have expressed concern that increased tourism could exacerbate these issues.
Geologist and Mining Officer Rahul Negi, based in Pithoragarh, explained that the area is located in a seismically-active zone, where tectonic activities beneath the surface can often lead to slope movement. He further commented on the road widening work being carried out at an elevation of around 1,000m.
Negi pointed out that the process of cutting rocks for road expansion can destabilize them, leading to frequent landslides. He added that it usually takes several years for the mountains to regain stability after such operations.
A magnitude-4 earthquake was reported near Pithoragarh district by the National Center for Seismology (NCS). The earthquake, which occurred 48km northeast of Pithoragarh at a depth of 5km, follows a 3.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Uttarkashi district on October 5.
Adding to the region’s natural events, Pithoragarh experienced its first snowfall of the season recently. The arrival of snow has led to an increase in frost and a drop in temperature across the district.
In light of the winter conditions, the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams will be closed for the season on November 14 and 15 respectively. The closure date for Shri Badrinath Dham will be announced on Vijay Dashami during a religious ceremony at Shri Badrinath Temple.
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