Heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand has triggered multiple landslides, severely disrupting transportation and daily life across the state. Over 100 roads, including national highways and rural routes, are blocked, causing significant inconvenience to residents and travelers. The Kedarnath Yatra, a vital pilgrimage for many, has been temporarily suspended due to a major landslide near Sonprayag.
The landslide at Munkatiya, near Sonprayag, has completely blocked the road to the Kedarnath temple, halting all public movement. Authorities made the decision to suspend the yatra as a precautionary measure, prioritizing the safety of pilgrims. Approximately 40 pilgrims returning from Kedarnath were initially stranded in the landslide zone but were successfully rescued by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and brought to Sonprayag. SDRF teams navigated dangerous terrain and heavy debris during a nighttime rescue operation to ensure the pilgrims' safety. The pilgrims have been kept safe in Sonprayag.
The Yamunotri Highway is also facing severe disruptions, remaining closed beyond Silai Band for the fourth consecutive day following a cloudburst. A 20 to 25-meter section of the highway was washed away near Silai Band and Ojri due to the cloudburst and overflowing drain. Tragically, seven people were swept away by the powerful currents of debris and water and are still missing. Search operations are ongoing, with the NDRF, SDRF, local police, and ITBP personnel actively involved. Around 254 pedestrians, who were stranded between Syanchatti and Jankichatti, have been safely evacuated to Barkot.
Efforts are underway to restore the blocked roads, but the continuous heavy rainfall is hampering these efforts. The Badrinath National Highway was also blocked near Badrish Hotel in Umtta due to a landslide. In addition to the Kedarnath and Yamunotri routes, roads to Gaurikund, Badrinath near Ummta, Gangotri at Bhatwari and Yamunotri at Silai Band, Ojri and Banas are blocked. More than 100 rural roads across the state are also closed.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued heavy rain and thunderstorms, accompanied by lightning, in several districts of Uttarakhand. "Intense to very intense spells of rain are expected at isolated locations in Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri, Nainital, and Bageshwar districts," the IMD stated. Other hilly districts are also likely to experience thunderstorms with lightning and heavy rainfall in isolated pockets in the coming days.
Multiple agencies, including the SDRF, NDRF, local police, and forest department personnel, are working together to assist pilgrims and residents. These teams are creating temporary trails, providing transportation, and guiding people through alternate safe routes. The food supply department has arranged meals for stranded pilgrims at various locations. The administration is making all possible efforts to restore normalcy and ensure the safety of everyone affected by the heavy rains and landslides.
