Several tourists were left stranded after a cloudburst triggered landslides and flashfloods in the Shayok Valley of Ladakh, severely affecting road connectivity also between Tongsted and Warshi.
The Leh Police acted swiftly, rescuing and escorting many tourists to safety on Wednesday.
In response to the crisis, Deputy Commissioner Leh, Romil Singh Donk, chaired an urgent review meeting on Thursday with representatives of Project 753 of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to assess the situation and initiate restoration measures.
During the meeting, BRO officials shared visuals from the affected areas, revealing the extent of the damage. In several locations, roads are buried under 2 to 3 meters of mud and debris, making them completely impassable. Officials noted that depending on weather conditions and ground feasibility, full restoration of road connectivity could take a few weeks.
DC Donk directed BRO to immediately mobilize necessary machinery and personnel to the affected sites to expedite clearance work. He also instructed the agency to submit a detailed report by the end of the day, including tentative timelines for restoring each blocked road section.
Emphasizing the need for coordinated efforts, DC Leh called for regular updates from the Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) of Nubra and Durbuk to ensure that the district administration remains informed of progress and emerging challenges. He further mentioned that involvement of the Disaster Management Department may be considered to ensure timely and effective mitigation.
The meeting was attended by senior BRO officers, while the SDMs of Nubra and Durbuk participated virtually.
Efforts are currently underway to assess damage and prioritize the reopening of key routes to restore normalcy in the affected region.