Uttarakhand landslides rescue 1,500 pilgrims on Kedarnath route

Heavy rainfall and landslides in Uttarakhand have caused significant disruption to the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage. In the Rudraprayag district, joint rescue teams from the SDRF, NDRF, and DDRF successfully evacuated approximately 1,500 pilgrims who were stranded near the Chirbasa helipad on the Kedarnath trek route following a landslide on Sunday night. The operation was conducted amid hazardous conditions, including continuous rockfalls.

While the pilgrimage has partially resumed following improved weather, the trekking route near Chirbasa remains closed due to debris and boulders. Authorities reported that a child died and another person was injured in a landslide in the Chirbasa area. Additionally, the Badrinath-Rishikesh National Highway was blocked by falling rocks, stranding numerous vehicles and devotees.

Thousands of pilgrims remain affected by the weather, with some reports indicating up to 4,000 people stranded in the Rudraprayag region. Local administrations have placed several districts on high alert, issuing advisories for travelers to avoid unnecessary movement and stay in safe locations due to the risk of further landslides and rising river levels.