Kedarnath: 3 dead, several injured after landslide hits pilgrimage

At least three pilgrims, including two from Maharashtra and a a resident of Rudraprayag were killed in a landslide caused by rains while traveling to Uttarakhand's Kedarnath temple on Sunday (July 21), according to officials.

Around eight people were also injured in the accident, which occurred on a pathway between Gaurikund and Chirbasa in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district. They have been taken to a hospital.

Rudraprayag's District Magistrate taking toX wrote, "Devotees were buried under the debris at Chirbasa on the Kedarnath Yatra route. Teams from the State Disaster Response Force and District Disaster Response Force are conducting rescue operations."

The senior officials further said, "efforts are underway to minimise the risk of injuries and loss of life. The district administration is continuously urging travelers to stay in safe locations."

केदारनाथ यात्रा मार्ग के चीरबासा पर अचानक मलबा आने से दबे यात्री ॥
SDRF, DDRF और YMD रेस्क्यू का कार्य कर रहे है।
घायल और जनहानि की संभावना को कम से कम रखने के प्रयास ॥
जिला प्रशासन लगातार यात्रियों से सुरक्षित जगह रुकने का अनुरोध करता है।#mansoon #chardhamyatra2024 pic.twitter.com/51kK0W6mSK

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami also tweeted, "The news of some pilgrims getting injured due to debris and heavy stones falling from the hill near the Kedarnath Yatra route is very sad. Relief and rescue work is going on at the site of the accident, I am constantly in touch with the officials in this regard. I have given instructions to provide better treatment to the people injured in the accident immediately."

It may be mentioned here, earlier in the day, the Gangotri National Highway near Bishanpur was closed due to a landslide.

On July 19, the Tanakpur Champawat National Highway was blocked due to debris triggered by a landslide.

Earlier on July 10, the road was blocked due to a landslide on the hill near the Patal Ganga Langsi tunnel on the Badrinath National Highway.

It is worth mentioning here, heavy rain in parts of Uttarakhand over the past few days has triggered landslides in the hills, with the highway to Badrinath blocked at several points due to rubble.

(With inputs from agencies)