Kedarnath Yatra suspended after boulders kill one; Pithoragrah roads blocked
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Rudraprayag/ Pithoragarh
A man was killed upon being hit by boulders rolling down from a hill near the Cheerbasa Helipad in Kedarnath with the pilgrimage remaining temporarily suspended due to rain and landslides.
As per the State Emergency Operation Centre, the victim- identified as 65-year-old Madan Mohan Tiwari, a resident of Ukhimath- died on the spot.
As the Kedarnath pilgrimage route has been blocked due to debris amid rain, the Rudraprayag district officials said that the travellers heading to Kedarnath have been advised to halt at Sonprayag and Gaurikund, while those returning have been told to stop at Jangalchatti.
Authorities alerted pilgrims against proceeding further along the route until the trail is cleared and official permission is granted. “The pilgrimage will resume only after weather conditions normalise and routes are cleared. Pilgrims’ safety is our top priority,” a senior district administration officer said.
Heavy rains wreaked havoc in the border district of Pithoragarh, too, disrupting traffic in several areas. The alternative route, constructed after the bridge near Koolagad along the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route was washed away, was also swept away on Sunday following torrential downpour. The administration arrived on the scene on Monday morning and repaired the road, after which traffic resumed.
The Bangapani area of the district recorded the highest rainfall of 113mm. Other areas also experienced light to moderate rainfall.
As per the district administration, 16 rural roads spread across the district, including the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route, remain blocked by debris. Traffic on the National Highway near Ghat is being disrupted due to continuous falling of stones from the hillside. The people have been urged to exercise caution while travelling on the mountain roads.
Importantly, the high Himalayan peaks of Panchachuli, Rajrambha, Nanda Devi and Hardewal also received snowfall amid the rain, making the weather even colder in the higher elevations.
