'Minor structural damage' to Girthi bridge in U'khand near China border: Army

DEHRADUN: Amidst heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand, the Girthi river bridge in the Joshimath area of Chamoli district, which connects to the China border, sustained "minor structural damage" on Sunday due to the heavy debris carried by the swollen river. The information was shared on Monday by the public relations officer (defence), Dehradun, Lt Col Manish Srivastava.

"The bridge has not been washed away but has incurred minor damage. As a precautionary measure, all movement across the bridge has been temporarily restricted, and a thorough assessment is currently underway. Once the assessment is complete, necessary repairs will be carried out," said Lt Col Srivastava.

An Army source familiar with the situation added, "A hot-mix plant located near the bridge was, however, washed away in the powerful flow of the swollen Girthi river. Once an expert report from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is submitted, repair work will commence."