Kanwar Rescue Ongoing as Truck Overturns in Tehri

A truck carrying Kanwar overturned on the Rishikesh‑Chamba Route in Tehri Garhwal district prompting an immediate rescue operation by the State Disaster Response Force and local authorities.

The accident occurred near Jazal and Tachala villages under Narendra Nagar police station when the vehicle lost control while traveling from Rishikesh to Chamba carrying between 15 to 17 Kanwar

The incident unfolded during the pre‑Kanwar Yatra period as pilgrims were making their way before the official yatra begins on July 11. Local police administration and SDRF teams rushed to the accident site within minutes of receiving the emergency alert to conduct search and rescue operations. Initial reports confirm one fatality and 14 injured Kanwar with varying degrees of injuries ranging from minor to critical.

Emergency medical response teams immediately transported the injured to Fakot Primary Health Center for initial treatment. Several seriously injured pilgrims were subsequently referred to AIIMS Rishikesh and Narendra Nagar Hospital for advanced medical care. The quick response by emergency services likely prevented additional casualties as rescue teams worked systematically to ensure no passengers remained trapped inside the overturned vehicle.

The State Disaster Response Force has maintained a continuous presence at the accident site conducting thorough searches to confirm all Kanwar have been accounted for. SDRF teams are specially trained for such emergency situations and have rescued nearly 12,000 people in over 3,000 rescue operations since their formation in 2013. The force operates from 19 strategic locations along the Char Dham route with each unit comprising 13 to 17 personnel trained in various aspects of rescue operations under challenging mountain conditions.

This tragic incident highlights the inherent dangers of mountain road travel in Uttarakhand particularly during Kanwar seasons when vehicle loads often exceed safe capacity limits. The Rishikesh‑Chamba highway is part of the Rishikesh‑Gangotri route which serves as a major artery for Kaward pilgrims and tourists visiting the sacred shrines in the Garhwal region. The highway has previously experienced multiple accidents, including landslides, boulder falls, and vehicle overturns, due to its challenging terrain and weather conditions.

Uttarakhand consistently records over 1,600 road accidents annually, with mountainous routes particularly prone to incidents involving overloaded vehicles navigating treacherous terrain. The state’s dangerous roads are characterized by narrow, poorly maintained highways combined with increasing vehicle traffic creating high‑risk zones commonly known as black spots. Mountain routes suffer from frequent landslides, blind curves, and inadequate road maintenance, making them especially perilous for tourists unfamiliar with hilly driving conditions.

– Story Aaj

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