2 Dead in Kedarnath Landslide, More Rainfall Likely This Week

Two people were killed and three others, including a minor, were injured in a landslide at the Kedarnath Dham trek route near Jungle Chatti in Rudraprayag district on Wednesday morning, an official said.

- HT Correspondent

MUSSOORIE: Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts heavy rainfall this week.

"The incident took place at around 11:20 a.m. near the Jangalchatti stream (gadhera), where the falling debris from the landslide swept several people into a deep gorge," said Nandan Singh Rajwar, district disaster management officer.

"Upon receiving the alert, rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), local police, and District Disaster Response Force (DDRF) immediately launched a coordinated rescue operation. The three injured were successfully brought out of the gorge, given immediate first aid, and rushed to Gaurikund Hospital for treatment," he said.

He further said that two people were found dead under the debris. They were identified as Nitin Kumar and Chandrashekhar, both palanquin porters from Jammu and Kashmir.

Among the injured, Sandeep Kumar, 22, a porter from Jammu and Kashmir, sustained injuries to both legs and his waist. Nitin Manhas, 16, also from Jammu and Kashmir, suffered a fracture in his right hand. Akash Chitariya, a 40-year-old pilgrim from Gujarat, is currently undergoing treatment for multiple injuries, he added.