Landslide Tragedy on Kedarnath Route: Three Dead, Eight Injured

A tragic landslide near Chidwasa in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand claimed the lives of three people and injured eight others on Sunday. The incident occurred on the Kedarnath route, a key pathway for pilgrims visiting the revered Kedarnath Temple.

Following the landslide, a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team swiftly arrived at the scene, evacuating the injured and retrieving the bodies of the deceased. The bodies were handed over to the district police by the SDRF team. The injuries were caused by falling stones and debris triggered by the landslide.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his sorrow over the incident in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. “The news of some pilgrims getting injured due to debris and heavy stones falling from the hill near the Kedarnath Yatra route is very sad,” he wrote.

He also reassured the public that rescue operations were ongoing and that the injured were receiving necessary medical attention. “Relief and rescue work is going on at the site of the accident, I am constantly in touch with the officials in this regard. I have given instructions to provide better treatment to the people injured in the accident immediately,” he added.

The landslide affected devotees traveling from Gaurikund to Kedarnath Dham. Despite the incident, the Char Dham Yatra has seen significant participation this year, with over 26 lakh pilgrims registering for the pilgrimage from India and abroad. Since the doors of Shri Kedarnath Dham opened on May 10, more than one lakh devotees have visited the temple, and around seven lakh have undertaken the Char Dham Yatra.

The Uttarakhand government continues to emphasize safety and rescue operations in the region to prevent further tragedies. The ongoing relief efforts highlight the commitment of the authorities to ensure the well-being of pilgrims and residents affected by natural disasters.