A landslide struck the Kedarnath Yatra route in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district and caused a temporary disruption to pilgrimage and authorities started immediate restoration work.
District administration, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and National Highways Authority teams, and disaster response agencies, for example, are working on a war footing to clear debris and restore safe movement, officials said.
The landslide was caused by heavy rain in the region and rocks, mud and loose soil fell onto the pilgrimage route. No accidents were reported and pilgrims were kept in safe locations until the route was cleared.
The authorities have deployed earth-moving machines, excavators and workers to deal with the debris and clean up. Officials are continuously monitoring weather conditions in the aftermath of intermittent rain and this is still hindering restoration efforts.
Safety is the primary priority and the movement on the affected stretch will only resume when it is fully restored and a thorough inspection is performed.
The Kedarnath Yatra, one of the most important pilgrimages in India, attracts lakhs of devotees every year. But during the monsoon season landslides and falling rocks are common in the Himalayan region as the slopes are unstable and heavy rain is witnessed. The administration has frequently advised pilgrims to follow official advisories and not to travel in extreme weather.
District officials have pleaded with devotees to keep track of the situation through official government notifications and not through unconfirmed social media posts. Pilgrims already on the route are being assisted by local authorities, police personnel and disaster management teams, they said.
Emergency services are on high alert and weather forecasts are being closely monitored. In the case of heavy rainfall, authorities could temporarily halt movement of people on vulnerable parts of the route in order to prevent any incident.
Landslide hits Kedarnath Yatra route in Rudraprayag; restoration underway. pic.twitter.com/T1q10ubx4p
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Experts say that serious landslides occur in the Himalayan region and that there is a need for better slope stabilization, better drainage facilities and ongoing geological monitoring.
Infrastructure projects in the mountains increasingly incorporate modern engineering solutions to reduce risks, but extreme weather events continue to interfere with this.
The Uttarakhand government has reiterated its commitment to protecting pilgrims and getting connectivity back up and running as soon as possible. Prior to starting Kedarnath Yatra preparations, the tourists should know what the road conditions will be and carry out the necessary supplies.
The tourists and pilgrims should support rescue teams and follow local authorities’ instructions, officials said. Restoration work will be going on until that area is totally cleared and safe for use by the public.
They are optimistic that the pilgrimage will be restarted soon, with good weather conditions and the usual pilgrimage schedule.
