Rescue teams safely evacuate 1500 stranded pilgrims after Uttarakhand landslide

About 1,500 pilgrims stranded in the Chirbasa area along the Kedarnath trek route were safely evacuated on Monday. Joint rescue teams made up of the State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, and District Disaster Response Force carried out the operation. The pilgrims got stuck late Sunday night after a landslide blocked their path.

Rescue Details

The Sonprayag police first received word that travelers were trapped across the route in the Chirbasa area, located about three kilometres past Gaurikund. An SDRF team led by Sub-Inspector Ashish Dimri reached the spot and found debris piled up near the Chirbasa helipad. Continuous rockfalls from the nearby hill made walking on the trail very dangerous. The rescue teams carefully led the pilgrims past the blocked zone and escorted them safely down to Gaurikund.

Context

Heavy rain often triggers dangerous landslides and rockfalls in hilly areas like Uttarakhand, making mountain travel risky during bad weather. The Char Dham Yatra remained suspended for the second straight day on Sunday because of the continuous heavy downpour.