Heavy rainfall disrupts Kedarnath Yatra; landslide blocks highway near Sonprayag, restoration work underway
Rudraprayag, July 12
Continuous heavy rainfall has disrupted normal life and affected the ongoing Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, with a landslide blocking the Kedarnath Highway at Munkatiya near Sonprayag.
Following the blockage, earthmoving machinery, including JCBs, has been deployed to clear the debris and restore vehicular movement on the affected stretch. The district administration is closely monitoring the situation through the District Disaster Control Room, while officials have been instructed to maintain round-the-clock vigilance at vulnerable locations.
District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Nandan Singh Rajwar said the Kedarnath Yatra is continuing smoothly despite the temporary road blockage and expressed confidence that the affected stretch would be reopened soon.
"The Kedarnath Yatra is also going on smoothly. There is a road blockage at Munkhatiya which is near Gaurikund, where a JCB is working and that route will also be opened soon On the Yatra route also our sector officers and other employees and those engaged in the Wesk team are also maintaining constant vigil so that if any such situation arises anywhere then they are immediately ready to help the pilgrims and for the smooth journey of the pilgrims. The District Magistrate has also instructed that those who are at their places, their Yatra areas and those who have been given the responsibility should also be alert," he told ANI.
The administration has advised pilgrims and local residents to remain cautious during periods of heavy rainfall, stay at safe locations, avoid unnecessary movement and follow official advisories issued by authorities.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Tehri Garhwal district, traffic on the Nainbagh route has been temporarily suspended after debris fell near Mussoorie Bend (Kempty).
According to Tehri Police, JCB machines have been pressed into service and debris clearance is being carried out on a war footing to restore vehicular movement at the earliest.
Police have advised commuters to undertake travel only if necessary and to follow traffic advisories and instructions issued by authorities.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Kudos to the DDMO and teams for keeping round-the-clock vigilance. 🙌 It's not easy to manage thousands of pilgrims during such weather. But I wish the government would invest more in permanent solutions like better retaining walls, early warning systems, and alternative routes. Temporary fixes like JCBs are good, but we need long-term planning for the Char Dham route. Safe journey to all Yatris! 🚌🌧️
My parents are on the Yatra right now, and I was so worried when I heard about the landslide near Sonprayag. 😰 But the administration is doing a great job in clearing the debris. The sector officers and Wesk team deserve a big salute for their alertness. Just hoping the weather improves so the Yatra can continue without any hiccups. Om Namah Shivay! 🛕💙
Honestly, the Char Dham Yatra during monsoon is risky business. Every year there's news of landslides, road blockages, and even fatalities. The devotion of pilgrims is admirable but the authorities should either restrict the number of visitors during heavy rains or improve infrastructure massively. Temporary suspension of traffic in Tehri Garhwal shows the severity. Please be cautious everyone. 🌧️⛰️
Glad to hear the restoration is underway and the Yatra continues smoothly despite the blockage. The district administration and Disaster Control Room are doing a stellar job. But I think we need more awareness among pilgrims—many ignore official advisories and venture into dangerous zones. The advice to stay at safe locations and avoid unnecessary movement is crucial. Stay safe, everyone! 🚧👍
T