Four BEd students from Rajasthan, stranded due to severe landslides that blocked all road access to Munsyari in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, chartered a helicopter from Haldwani to reach their examination centre on time.
The landslides, triggered by incessant heavy rains, had closed vital routes including Thal-Munsyari and Munsyari-Milam, making road travel impossible. Officials confirmed ongoing relief and restoration operations but urged residents to avoid non-essential journeys. The students shared their relief at reaching on time despite the steep Rs 10,400 fare each.
Stranded Students Take to the Skies
Omaram Jat, Magaram Jat, Prakash Godara Jat, and Lucky Chaudhary, enrolled with Uttarakhand Open University in Haldwani, found themselves caught in a logistical nightmare when all roads to Munsyari were shut due to landslides. With their BEd exams scheduled at the Government Degree College, Munsyari, they approached taxi drivers in Haldwani and Pithoragarh but were refused due to road blockages.
“We started losing hope and thought we might miss the exam and lose an entire year,” Omaram shared. In a last resort, they discovered Heritage Aviation offered helicopter rides and collectively decided to spend Rs 10,400 each. The usual 280 km road journey, lasting about 10 hours, transformed into a 25-30 minute helicopter flight, allowing them to reach in time. The students returned safely the next day by the same means, relieved yet mindful of the expense.
The Consequences of Unrelenting Monsoon Rains
Pithoragarh district has been among the worst hit in Uttarakhand this monsoon, with continuous heavy rainfall triggering over 250 landslides since May across the state. Vital roads connecting remote Himalayan towns like Munsyari remain blocked, isolating villages and straining essential services.
The monsoon’s fury also caused tragic casualties; on September 1, two pilgrims were killed when boulders fell on their vehicle along the Munsyari-Gaurikund Highway. District emergency managers confirmed the fragile road conditions but assured that teams are working round the clock to clear debris and restore connectivity.
Flood warnings remain active as rivers such as the Gaula and Kali surge close to danger levels, prompting authorities to curb travel and close schools in affected districts as a safety measure.
Infrastructure Challenges in a Fragile Himalayan Region
The recurring monsoon disasters expose the delicate balance between human habitation and vulnerable Himalayan terrain. Development initiatives, including road widening by blasting hillsides, have reportedly aggravated landslide risks, according to local environmentalists.
Uttarakhand’s disaster management officials work under challenging conditions to stabilise sensitive zones, but the frequency and scale of events underline the need for holistic planning. Remote towns like Munsyari depend heavily on single road links, making them especially susceptible to isolation during natural disasters. While helicopter travel offers a temporary solution for emergencies, it remains financially inaccessible for the majority, highlighting disparities in crisis response resources.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The courage and determination of these students in overcoming overwhelming odds to pursue education is profoundly inspiring. Yet their story also serves as a call for collective responsibility toward strengthening resilient infrastructure and disaster preparedness in fragile mountain regions.
No individual’s dreams should be hostage to environmental vulnerabilities or infrastructural shortcomings. Sustainable development, community safety measures, and eco-sensitive governance must be priorities in ensuring that education and essential services remain accessible, even during crises.
