At least three pilgrims have tragically lost their lives, and eight others have been injured in a landslide near Kedarnath, Uttarakhand. The incident occurred today on the Gaurikund-Kedarnath trekking route, specifically in the Chirbasa area of Rudraprayag district.
The deceased have been identified as Kishore Arun Parate, 31, from Nagpur, Maharashtra; Sunil Mahadev Kale, 24, from Jalna district, Maharashtra; and Anurag Bisht, a resident of Rudraprayag. The landslide was triggered by recent heavy rains, which led to a significant amount of debris falling onto the trekking route.
Teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and District Disaster Response Force (DDRF) have been deployed to the site to conduct rescue operations. The injured have been transported to a local hospital for treatment. Efforts are ongoing to prevent further casualties and to ensure the safety of other pilgrims in the area.
Rudraprayag’s District Magistrate has urged travelers to avoid the affected area and to seek shelter in safer locations. “Devotees were buried under the debris at Chirbasa on the Kedarnath Yatra route. We are working tirelessly to manage the situation and assist those in need,” the District Magistrate posted on social media platform X.
Official Responses
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his condolences for the loss of lives and confirmed that relief and rescue operations are underway. “I am in constant touch with officials regarding the situation. Instructions have been given to ensure that the injured receive the best possible care,” Dhami stated on X.
The weather office has issued a red alert for Uttarakhand for Sunday and Monday, predicting extremely heavy rainfall that could exacerbate existing conditions.
Char Dham Yatra
The Kedarnath temple is a significant part of the Char Dham Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage that includes visits to Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The yatra, which began on May 10 this year, holds great spiritual importance in Hinduism and typically runs from April to November. Pilgrims traditionally complete the yatra in a clockwise direction, starting from Yamunotri, moving to Gangotri, then Kedarnath, and concluding at Badrinath.
Sources By Agencies
