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Key Points

A tragic landslide near Kakragad on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund highway resulted in the deaths of two pilgrims, including the vehicle's driver, Rajesh Rawat. This accident occurred as the group was en route to Kedarnath, a popular pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand. Four other occupants from Chhattisgarh were injured and are undergoing treatment after emergency services responded swiftly. The incident draws attention to the hazards faced by travelers on Uttarakhand's roads, especially during the crowded pilgrimage season.

Key Points: Landslide in Rudraprayag Kills Pilgrims on Kedarnath Route

  • Landslide strikes vehicle near Kakragad on way to Kedarnath
  • Two deaths confirmed, four injured rushed to hospital
  • Incident underlines risks during Uttarakhand's pilgrimage season
2 min read

Two pilgrims killed, four injured in landslide in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag

Landslide on Rudraprayag-Gaurikund highway leaves two dead, including driver, and four injured.

"The accident highlighted the vulnerability of Uttarakhand's hilly roads. - Nandan Singh Rajwar"

Rudraprayag, May 31

Two persons, including the driver of a vehicle carrying pilgrims to Kedarnath, were killed and four others injured in a tragic accident caused by a landslide on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund highway, officials said on Saturday.

The incident occurred near Kakragad on Friday late evening, approximately 30 km from the Rudraprayag district headquarters, when a large boulder fell from a hillside and struck the vehicle, which was on its way to the Kedarnath temple.

All occupants of the vehicle were from Chhattisgarh.

According to the district administration, the vehicle was carrying six people, including the driver, at the time of the accident. The driver, identified as 38-year-old Rajesh Rawat, son of Rai Singh and a resident of Nag Paniyala, Lambgaon, New Tehri, died on the spot.

Another passenger, 24-year-old Shailendra Kumar, son of Mohan Lal Yadav, succumbed to his injuries while being taken to the hospital.

The injured -- Laxman Singh (24), son of Dhaniram Yadav; Omkar Singh (24), son of Virendra Singh; Vipesh Yadav (19), son of Govind Yadav; and Chitransh Sahu, son of Omkar Sahu -- all residents of Durg district in Chhattisgarh, were rushed to the Community Health Centre in Agastyamuni.

They were brought to the hospital using emergency services and local assistance and are currently undergoing treatment.

District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Nandan Singh Rajwar confirmed the details and said rescue teams, including police and District Disaster Response Force (DDRF) personnel, reached the site immediately after receiving information about the incident and launched a rescue operation.

The accident has once again highlighted the vulnerability of hilly roads in Uttarakhand to landslides, particularly during the pilgrimage season when traffic increases on the route to Kedarnath.

Authorities have advised caution to travellers and urged them to follow updates on weather and road conditions issued by the administration.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
Heartbreaking news 😢 My prayers for the departed souls and speedy recovery for the injured. The government must urgently improve road safety measures in these hilly areas, especially during pilgrimage season. Too many lives are being lost due to these landslides.
R
Rahul S.
This is so tragic. Just imagine coming from Chhattisgarh for darshan and meeting such fate. The Uttarakhand administration should install more protective nets along vulnerable stretches. Char Dham yatra is important, but safety must come first.
A
Anjali M.
Om Shanti 🙏 The families must be devastated. While we can't control natural disasters completely, better early warning systems and restricted travel during dangerous weather could prevent such incidents. My heart goes out to the victims' families.
V
Vikram J.
This happens every year during yatra season. Why aren't permanent solutions being implemented? More tunnels, better slope stabilization, and controlled traffic during monsoon months are needed. Enough of these condolences tweets after every accident!
S
Sunita P.
So young lives lost... May their souls find peace. The government should provide full compensation and support to the families. Also, medical teams should be stationed at regular intervals on these routes to provide immediate assistance.
A
Arjun T.
While the rescue response seems prompt, prevention is what we need. The Himalayan terrain is fragile - maybe limit the number of vehicles during peak seasons? Better to reach late than never. My deepest condolences to the families.

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