New Delhi:
At least three pilgrims, including two from Maharashtra, were killed in a landslide triggered by rains when they were en route to Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath temple today, officials said.
Eight people were also injured in the accident, which occurred on a pathway between Gaurikund and Chirbasa in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district.
The third victim has been identified as a resident of Rudraprayag.
“Devotees were buried under the debris at Chirbasa on the Kedarnath Yatra route. Teams of the State Disaster Response Force and District Disaster Response Force are carrying out rescue operations,” Rudraprayag’s District Magistrate posted on X.
“Efforts to minimise the possibility of injuries and loss of life. The district administration continuously requests travellers to stay in a safe place,” the senior official added.
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#chardhamyatra2024pic.twitter.com/51kK0W6mSK— DM Rudraprayag (@DmRudraprayag) July 21, 2024
Earlier in the day, the Gangotri National Highway near Bishanpur was closed due to a landslide.
गंगोत्री राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग बिशनपुर सैंज के पास मालवा व पत्थर आने के कारण बाधित है।BRO द्वारा मार्ग को सुचारु करने का कार्य किया जा रहा है। पुलिस टीम मौके पर है। pic.twitter.com/9lNynOGowi
— Uttarkashi Police Uttarakhand (@UttarkashiPol) July 21, 2024
Landslides triggered by heavy rains over the past few weeks have left some of Uttarakhand’s key highways blocked.