RUDRAPRAYAG: In a major emergency operation along the Himalayan pilgrimage circuit, state rescue teams have successfully evacuated over 6,500 stranded pilgrims following a massive landslide near the Chirbasa helipad on the Kedarnath Yatra route. Continuous heavy rainfall across the mountainous terrain of Rudraprayag district triggered rolling debris and boulders, heavily damaging crucial stretches of the pedestrian pathway and leaving thousands of devotees unable to cross safely.
Acting promptly under the directives of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi, a specialized rescue unit led by Sub-Inspector Ashish Dimri from the Sonprayag post rushed to the disaster site. Working in absolute coordination with the local police, District Disaster Response Force (DDRF), and the regional administration, emergency personnel executed a daring rescue mission amidst high-risk conditions. Alongside the safe extraction of 6,500 pilgrims, rescue teams also facilitated the secure movement of nearly 700 horses and mules across the partially damaged track.
Pilgrimage Halted as Rivers Swell and Stones Continue to Fall
Due to the ongoing downpour and the continuous threat of falling rocks, authorities have temporarily suspended all movement along the Kedarnath Dham route as a vital safety precaution. According to the Rudraprayag Police, clearing the accumulated debris is currently highly unsafe. As part of the administrative containment plan, pilgrims traveling toward the shrine have been stopped at safe base camps in Sonprayag and Gaurikund, while those descending have been accommodated at Jungle Chatti. The intense spell of monsoon showers has also led to a massive increase in the water levels of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers.
In a parallel infrastructure push, Rudraprayag District Magistrate (DM) Vishal Mishra announced the launch of an aggressive pothole-free road campaign. The local administration has fast-tracked the tendering process to ensure that all damaged and landslide-affected roads across the district are fully repaired by October 15, aiming to guarantee hassle-free transit for locals and visiting devotees alike.