Rudraprayag: Amid relentless monsoon rains, the sacred Char Dham Yatra routes have been severely affected, with landslides, falling boulders, and blocked highways stranding hundreds of pilgrims enroute to Kedarnath and Badrinath.
The Kedarnath route, particularly the Sonprayag-Munkatiya section, was blocked for nearly four hours on Wednesday after a heavy debris slide disrupted movement.
SDRF, NDRF, and DDRF teams successfully rescued 1,269 pilgrims
Responding to the crisis, the district administration of Rudraprayag, in collaboration with SDRF, NDRF, and DDRF teams, successfully rescued 1,269 devotees—833 men and 436 women—who had been stuck along the trek route. The rescue operation prioritized safety, with pilgrims being moved to secure shelters amid ongoing weather risks.
⛑ केदारनाथ मार्ग पर 1269 यात्रियों का सफल रेस्क्यू
लगातार वर्षा से सोनप्रयाग-मुनकटिया मार्ग बाधित होने पर #Rudraprayag प्रशासन ने यात्रियों की सुरक्षा को सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता देते हुए 833 पुरुष व 436 महिला श्रद्धालुओं को SDRF, NDRF, DDRF की मदद से सुरक्षित निकाला।
मार्ग को… pic.twitter.com/1ZCznhbwZo
— DM Rudraprayag (@DmRudraprayag) June 26, 2025
Kedarnath route was blocked at Munkatiya, situated between Sonprayag and Gaurikund
The road to Kedarnath Dham was first blocked around 6:30 a.m. at Munkatiya, situated between Sonprayag and Gaurikund, due to a massive fall of rocks and debris from the hillside. Although machinery from the National Highway Department worked quickly to clear the obstruction by 8:30 a.m., further debris fell later in the morning, forcing the police to suspend the pilgrimage again for four hours. Landslides continue to pose a threat near Kakra Gad and other exposed patches along the route.
BKTC requested pilgrims not to climb glaciers or take photographs while trekking
District authorities have issued advisories urging devotees to avoid risky areas and stay alert during adverse weather. In a safety appeal, Dr. Vineet Posti, a member of the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee, requested pilgrims not to climb glaciers or take photographs while trekking. He reviewed the district’s disaster preparedness with local officials, monitoring the terrain and pilgrim movement via CCTV surveillance.
Badrinath National Highway was also blocked
Meanwhile, the Badrinath National Highway near Govindghat in Chamoli district has also been rendered impassable. A large boulder broke off from the mountainside and fell onto the highway at Pinola, blocking both lanes and halting the progress of vehicles heading toward Badrinath Dham and Hemkund Sahib. Rainfall in the Jyotirmath region on Tuesday night likely triggered the rockfall. The BRO (Border Roads Organisation) and local police are present at the site, working to clear the debris.
Pilgrims heading to and returning from the shrines have been temporarily halted, and police officials have confirmed that they will be allowed to proceed only once the highway is deemed safe. Local administrations in both Rudraprayag and Chamoli are coordinating efforts to minimize disruptions and ensure the safety of yatris.
𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞
नन्दप्रयाग-नन्दानगर सड़क मार्ग थिरपाक सहित विभिन्न स्थानों पर अवरुद्ध है। pic.twitter.com/knBQZdfjkp
— Chamoli Police Uttarakhand (@chamolipolice) June 26, 2025
Authorities remain on high alert, prepared for quick evacuations and route management
As the monsoon intensifies, authorities remain on high alert, prepared for quick evacuations and route management. Devotees have been advised to follow official instructions strictly and avoid traveling during night hours or through high-risk zones until conditions stabilize. Rescue operations and route clearance efforts are ongoing.
