SDRF constructs new escape route to rescue pilgrims as landslide halts Kedarnath yatra
A significant portion of the hill allegedly collapsed approximately 1.5 km beyond Munakatiya, completely blocking the Rudraprayag–Gaurikund National Highway and halting all two-way traffic.
The incident occurred around 6:30 PM on Tuesday amidst heavy rainfall, when a large section of rock and debris plummeted onto the road. While authorities hoped to restore the highway by Thursday morning, if weather conditions improved, the Sonprayag–Gaurikund pedestrian path remains closed due to the severity of the landslide.
Police swiftly moved to halt all movement, stopping pilgrims at both Gaurikund and Sonprayag. Rakendra Singh Kathait, In-charge of Sonprayag Kotwali, confirmed the extent of the blockage.
'Large boulders along with debris have fallen, completely disrupting movement. Pilgrims have been stopped at Gaurikund and Sonprayag,' he stated.
Work to clear the debris has commenced, with Omkar Nath Pandey, Executive Engineer of the National Highway, stating, 'Two machines have been deployed to clear the rubble.'
However, continuous rainfall and falling boulders in the Munakatiya area have significantly hampered efforts. Due to safety concerns, night-time clearance operations by JCB machines were deemed impossible, temporarily suspending road restoration.
The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has mobilised its teams to address the crisis. Arpan Yaduvanshi, Commandant of SDRF, told this newspaper, 'Eight SDRF units are on 24-hour alert mode in different areas along the pilgrimage routes and connecting roads due to rain-induced disruptions.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
2 hours ago
- Hans India
Cloudburst In Himachal's Kinnaur Leaves Hundreds Of Kailash Pilgrims Stranded; Rescue Ops Underway
A cloudburst struck Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district early Wednesday, triggering flash floods and stranding hundreds of pilgrims en route to Kailash Mansarovar. The incident occurred in the Tangling area, just a day after a similar tragedy in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Swift action by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) led to the rescue of 413 people using zip lines, although many remain stranded due to road blockages caused by debris and landslides. Bridges over Tanglipi and Kangrang streams have been washed away, complicating evacuation efforts. A second cloudburst near Ribba village at Raldang Khad has completely obstructed National Highway-5, where massive boulders and mud have blocked access. Fortunately, no fatalities have been reported so far. Across the state, relentless rainfall and cloudbursts have led to widespread destruction, with over 500 roads blocked due to landslides. Emergency teams are working around the clock to ensure the safety of residents and pilgrims caught in the chaos. Meanwhile, in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand, a catastrophic cloudburst hit Dharali village on Tuesday afternoon. Within just 34 seconds, Khir Ganga village was completely submerged in debris and water. Four fatalities have been confirmed, and over 50 people, including 11 army personnel, remain missing. Dharali, located 18 km from Gangotri, saw hotels and shops buried under rubble. Social media is flooded with videos showing the powerful torrent destroying the village. Rescue operations involving the SDRF, NDRF, and army are ongoing. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is monitoring the crisis and coordinating relief efforts. Both incidents underscore the growing severity of monsoon-related disasters in the Himalayan region. Authorities continue to urge caution and preparedness as heavy rainfall is forecast to persist.
India.com
4 hours ago
- India.com
Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Himachal: Monsoon Havoc Leaves Trail of Destruction Across North India
Prolonged and sudden cloudburst incidents have brought widespread destruction to various regions of North India. As grim visuals emerge from the ground reports of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Himachal Pradesh, the impact looks like nothing less than a natural disaster where villages, towns, roads, bridges, farmlands, and even government buildings are getting devastated. All attempts at rescue operations are underway as the state authorities are combating this unforgiving weather. Uttarakhand: Mountains Under Assault Kotdwar – The National Highway 121 has been totally washed away due to floods in the Kalghadi stream (nala) on the Kotdwar-Thalisain road, disrupting connectivity between Pabo and Paithani. Heavy rainfall has also laid waste to crops in many fields. In Phaludwari village, a cloudburst totally destroyed one house, although animals from some cowsheds were moved to safety. Pauri – Two women have lost their lives due to continuous rain. One woman died as she was buried under rubble in the Buransi village, and efforts are on to find another. Five Nepali workers have been washed away separately in Bankura village, Thalisain tehsil. Joshimath – A huge landslide has covered the Badrinath Highway at Jogidhara, leaving thousands of pilgrims stuck. In Joshimath's Narsingh Mandir Ward, subsidence of land caused the wall protecting the area to collapse, injuring two shops. Landslides occur on this site during the monsoon season every year, but safety measures have not yet been put in place. Rudraprayag – The pilgrimages to Kedarnath and Madhyamaheshwar Dham have been halted by the administration till August 8 as a precautionary measure against the danger of falling boulders on trekking trails. Haridwar – The Ganges River has breached 294.30 meters, breaking the danger mark. Public announcements at ghats are being made by the administration to caution devotees against approaching the flooded river. Udham Singh Nagar – Houses in Chakarpur, Indira Colony, and Rajiv Colony of Bajpur have been flooded. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by administration, NDRF, and SDRF personnel. Himachal Pradesh: Roads Blocked By Landslides, Trees Uprooted Shimla – Incessant rains have resulted in the closure of 613 roads, out of which 4 National Highways are among them. As many as 448 houses were completely destroyed, while electricity and water supply chains are badly affected. A total of 194 deaths have occurred so far in the state from monsoon-related reasons. Uttar Pradesh: Flood Warnings And Ground Situations Shahjahanpur – Dam water releases have resulted in a sudden surge in the levels of water in the Garra and Khannaut rivers. Police and relief troops are put on high alert, with 120 localities and villages in 13 police station zones at the risk of floods. Meerut – Swelling water levels in the Ganga River in the Khadar area of Hastinapur are at risk of flooding several villages. An alert has been sounded by the administration. Prayagraj – Low-lying regions are inundated as the Ganga and Yamuna rivers overflow, compelling residents to move to the rooftops for refuge. One viral video depicts a family fashioning a path with a ladder from their roof to an adjacent home. Kanpur – In the midst of the somber reports of rain and flooding, comes the heartwarming development of the successful rejuvenation and restoration of the Noon River to its flowing conditions under the "One District-One River" mission. Bihar: The Ferocious Face Of The Ganga Munger – The Ganga River's water level is increasing at a fast pace, flooding villages in areas such as Sadar, Jamalpur, and Asarganj. Munger-Begusarai link road is two feet under water. Bhagalpur – Waters from the Ganga have flooded PG hostel, necessitating the evacuation of female students. Students were photographed departing the hostel with their luggage for two days in a row. Chapra – A government primary school is fully submerged in floodwaters, severely affecting children's schooling. Buxar – The Ramdas Rai OP Police Station is flooded by floodwaters, with several police vehicles submerged as well. Also read | Himachal Pradesh On Alert: Monsoon, Western Disturbance Bring Heavy Rains Until Aug 12
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
'Mountain is still shifting': Rescuers battle rain & rubble in race against time in Uttarakhand's Dharali; 15 remain missing
DEHRADUN: Twenty-four hours after the flash flood that tore through Dharali village near Gangotri, rescue teams were still struggling to reach the epicentre of the devastation. Landslides, fractured roads and a washed-away bridge had reduced the approach to Dharali — once a remote but reachable hamlet — into a logistical nightmare for rescue workers fighting both weather and topography. By Wednesday afternoon, it had become clear that reaching those trapped or missing wasn't just about dispatching people and resources. The challenge also lay in getting there. Meanwhile, rescue teams already present in Dharali — including the Army, ITBP and SDRF — pulled out the body of 32-year-old Mahavir Singh Panwar from the rubble on Wednesday. A second body was recovered later in the day, while at least 15 people remain missing. A 30-metre-long bridge near Gangnani on the Gangotri National highway was swept away by the floodwaters, snapping access to several upstream villages including Dharali, Jhala, and Mukhba. Flash floods: SDRF officer says mountain is still shifting Among those stranded were key officials — the district magistrate and superintendent of police — who had set out to oversee the response effort. Multiple landslides blocked not just the main approach roads but also alternate routes. 'The mountain is still shifting,' said an SDRF officer. Inspector General (IG) of SDRF, Arun Mohan Joshi, who was among the first state govt officials to reach the disaster-hit village, said that the 'debris at the site was over 50ft high.' Joshi coordinated the airlift of two seriously injured Army personnel — including a Lt Colonel — from the flood-hit Army camp in Harsil to the Military Hospital in Dehradun. To add to the rescuers' woes, a temporary landslide-dammed lake formed at Harsil on Tuesday evening. Created by debris clogging the Mandakini Ghadera stream, the lake quickly grew into a concern of its own. By Wednesday, water was spilling over its edge, prompting teams from the irrigation department and Army to step in and begin drainage operations. Local residents had been evacuated to higher ground, the state emergency operation centre (SEOC) said in a statement. According to disaster management secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, teams from the Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF, and medical departments were on ground zero. Around 150 personnel from the Rajputana Rifles, 12 from the Ghatak Battalion, 100 ITBP jawans, and 40 Army men from Nelang Valley were working to assist the villagers. Two Chinook helicopters, along with IAF's C-295 and An-32 transport aircraft, were ready to be deployed as soon as weather conditions allowed.
