Landslide blocks Kedarnath Yatra route, over 10,000 pilgrims rescued overnight by SDRF-NDRF

RUDRAPRAYAG: A late-night landslide in the Munkatiya area between Sonprayag and Gaurikund on the Shri Kedarnath Yatra route blocked the main road and stranded a large number of pilgrims, even as authorities carried out a swift overnight rescue and restoration operation to ensure the continuation of the pilgrimage.Officials said the landslide struck suddenly on the Kedarnath route on Tuesday night, triggered by unstable hill conditions, continuous debris flow, heavy rush of pilgrims and adverse weather. The blockade left devotees stuck midway in difficult terrain under dark and unsafe conditions.At around 9.16pm, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) received information from the District Control Room, Rudraprayag. Immediately after the alert, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Uttarakhand team from Sonprayag, led by Sub-Inspector Ashish Dimri, rushed to the spot with rescue equipment. Teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also joined the operation.Officials said SDRF and NDRF personnel jointly carried out coordinated rescue and relief efforts through the night, evacuating pilgrims and clearing the route despite continuous falling debris and harsh weather conditions in the mountainous terrain.According to officials, the combined operation helped safely evacuate over 10,000 pilgrims, preventing a larger crisis on the busy pilgrimage corridor.The incident occurred amid already disrupted conditions on the Kedarnath Yatra route, where landslides and weather fluctuations have repeatedly affected movement along the stretch between Sonprayag, Gaurikund and the higher Himalayan route leading to Kedarnath Temple.In a similar development, helicopter services to Kedarnath have also been repeatedly suspended due to rapidly changing weather conditions in the valley, particularly during the afternoon hours. Authorities have advised pilgrims to plan cautiously and follow official updates, stressing that safety remains the top priority.Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra said weather in the region can turn extreme without warning, and heli operations are being regulated strictly under safety guidelines. He added that operators have been directed to extend all possible assistance to stranded pilgrims.Meanwhile, sanitation work continues along the trekking route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath, where officials said nearly 25 tonnes of waste have been collected as part of an ongoing cleanliness and eco-friendly pilgrimage campaign.Data from Dehradun-based think tank Social Development for Communities (SDC) showed a marginal decline in overall Char Dham Yatra footfall in the first month, even as Kedarnath recorded a slight increase in pilgrim numbers.Authorities estimate around 55,000 pilgrims are currently visiting the Char Dham shrines daily, with numbers expected to rise further as the peak pilgrimage season approaches.Officials also confirmed that 53 pilgrims have died due to health-related complications since the start of the Yatra on April 19, underscoring the continued challenges of high-altitude travel amid unpredictable weather and heavy footfall.