The Drungali Bridge in Poonch district has been partially washed away due to severe rains, causing major disruptions to the Buddha Amarnath pilgrimage. This incident has severely affected over 150,000 residents in the region, causing widespread inconvenience.
Eyewitnesses reported that the bridge was swept away early this morning. Authorities responded swiftly, with police arriving at the scene and restricting movement on the damaged structure.
Locals have pointed out that maintenance issues with the bridge have been a long-standing concern. They noted that a similar portion of the bridge was washed away during flash floods in 2014, leading to its reconstruction by the administration.
Resident Balvinder Singh highlighted the impact of the current damage, stating, “Lakhs of people are now suffering, struggling to reach Poonch due to this unexpected disaster.”
Authorities are assessing the damage and have redirected pilgrims traveling to Buddha Amarnath via the Kalai route. Despite these efforts, the disruption has caused significant delays and challenges for those on the sacred journey.
