PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE /Dehradun
More than 6,500 pilgrims were safely evacuated through a landslide-affected stretch of Kedarnath route at Chirbasa on Monday, while around 600-700 horses and mules were also taken through the damaged section, the State Disaster Rescue Force officials said.
The landslide occurred near the Chirbasa helipad on the Kedarnath pilgrimage route in Rudraprayag district on Monday. The route was partially damaged, making it difficult for a large number of pilgrims to cross the area.
Upon receiving information about the incident, an SDRF team from Sonprayag immediately reached the spot. The SDRF team started a rescue and assistance operation in coordination with the police, DDRF and local administration. Personnel helped the pilgrims cross the damaged stretch, one by one, while taking necessary precautions.
SDRF said that its personnel continued their evacuation operation at the site despite difficult and risky conditions. “The operation was important as this route to Kedarnath is being used by a large number of pilgrims, and the damaged stretch could have posed a serious risk to their safety,” an SDRF officer said.
