Chamoli: The Badrinath National Highway near Bhanerpani, Pipalkoti in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district was blocked twice within 24 hours due to heavy rainfall and recurring landslides, disrupting traffic and stranding pilgrims enroute to the sacred shrine.
Continuous rockfall and debris from surrounding hills made the stretch impassable, with long queues of vehicles reported on both sides.
𝐑𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞
बद्रीनाथ राष्ट्रीय राजमार्ग पर भनेरपानी ( पीपलकोटी) के पास पुन: पहाडी से मलबा आने के कारण मार्ग अवरुद्ध हो गया है। pic.twitter.com/POY67rWQPk
— Chamoli Police Uttarakhand (@chamolipolice) June 23, 2025
Authorities have urged travelers to avoid non-essential travel
While road clearance operations are ongoing, authorities have urged travelers to avoid non-essential travel and monitor real-time updates from Chamoli Police and the Chardham Control Room. The rainfall in Chamoli tehsil reached 93.66 mm, the highest in the district, intensifying the risk of further landslides.
Amid these hazardous conditions, two separate fatal incidents occurred in the district
In the first incident, a vehicle carrying a family from Fatehabad, Haryana, was buried under debris near the Patalganga tunnel. Shilpa (36) died on the spot, while her husband Ankit and 10-year-old daughter Khwahish were injured. The family was on a pilgrimage to Badrinath when the landslide struck. Rescue teams responded swiftly, and the injured were taken to a nearby hospital.
Likewise, two tourists from Hyderabad, identified as Nirmal Shahi (36) and Satya Narayana (50), were killed on Saturday when boulders struck their motorcycle near Chatwapeepal, between Gauchar and Karnaprayag. The duo was returning from Badrinath when the rockfall occurred. Their bodies were recovered by police and SDRF teams.
District administration remains on high alert
These incidents underscore the growing danger of monsoon travel in Uttarakhand’s hill districts. The Chamoli Police have also issued a warning to avoid venturing near the Alaknanda River, which is swelling due to continuous rainfall. With the monsoon intensifying, the district administration remains on high alert. Restoration work is underway, but officials caution that fresh landslides may occur due to unstable slopes and saturated soil.
