300 people stranded in Uttarakhand after massive landslide

At least 300 travellers are stuck in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand after a crucial road got washed away due to a landslide.

The travellers were left stranded in Dharchula and Gunji after the Lipulekh-Tawaghat road, 45 km above Dharchula, near Lakhanpur, was washed away 100 metres after a large part of the hill fell on the road.

"On the outskirts of Pithoragarh, the Lipulekh-Tawaghat motor road, 45 km above Dharchula, near Lakhanpur, has been washed away 100 metres due to a landslide. About 300 people are trapped in Dharchula and Gunji," news agency ANI reported quoting the district administration.

According to reports, the road is expected to be opened for traffic after two days.

The weather department has issued an alert for dust storm and thundershower Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Garhwal, Hardwar, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar and Uttarkashi districts of the state.

The police have also issued an advisory and has asked all the pilgrims to stay in safe places.

"Pilgrims please stay at safe places, do not travel unnecessarily, and park vehicles at safe places, landslides/geo. Travel only when the weather is clear," they added.