Kedarnath Yatra halted after rain triggers landslide in Gaurikund

The ongoing Kedarnath yatra was suspended after heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand on Saturday triggered landslides, boulder falls, and waterlogging in several parts of the state.

- Ajay Ramola

A major landslide near Gaurikund on the pedestrian route to Kedarnath blocked the path, leaving over 100 pilgrims stranded.

The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) evacuated the pilgrims using an alternate route.

According to officials, the landslide brought down massive boulders and debris, cutting off the pedestrian pathway near Gaurikund.

Vinay Jhinkwan, Executive Engineer with the Public Works Department (PWD), said that pilgrim movement was immediately halted, and teams were deployed to clear the route. The PWD is currently working to break the boulders and restore the path for pilgrims, he said.,

Upon receiving the alert, an SDRF team led by sub-inspector Ashish Dimri from the Sonprayag post rushed to the site and carried out the rescue operation. All stranded pilgrims were safely evacuated to Sonprayag.

Meanwhile, several areas in Rudraprayag district also faced damage due to intense rainfall. In Rumsi village, mud and debris affected multiple residential structures, while two houses were reported damaged in Bagardhar Tok of Gram Sabha Chameli. In the Soudi Gadera area, land erosion posed threat to several homes.

District disaster management