Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand) [India], June 15 (ANI): One person was killed and two others sustained injuries after a landslide struck a walkway to Kedarnath near Jangalchatti in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, prompting authorities to suspend the Kedarnath Yatra from Sonprayag until further notice.
According to a statement from the Rudraprayag Police, the landslide was triggered by continuous heavy rainfall, which caused large amounts of debris and stones to fall onto the trekking route, blocking and damaging the walkway to Kedarnath Dham. Officials further noted that a yellow alert has been issued for the region, predicting continuous rainfall throughout the week, and as a precaution, the footpath to the Kedarnath Dham from Sonprayag has been suspended.
The Rudraprayag Police have urged all devotees en route to Kedarnath Dham to stay at nearby hotels and safe accommodations. They also appealed to those planning the Char Dham Yatra to monitor weather forecasts and travel advisories before embarking on their journey.
“The footpath was blocked due to debris falling in the ravine near Jangalchatti. The footpath to Kedarnath Dham has been suspended from Sonprayag till further orders. According to the information received so far, one person has died and two people have been injured due to debris falling in the ravine,” the statement from Rudraprayag Police read.
“According to the weather forecast, a yellow alert for rain has been issued for the entire week, with continuous rainfall expected. Due to the obstruction of the road in Jangalchatti and multiple landslide-prone locations along the entire footpath, the suspension from Sonprayag is a precautionary measure. Passengers stranded in the Jangalchatti landslide-affected area are being brought down under police protection. The district police appeal to the pilgrims coming to Shri Kedarnath Dham to stay safe wherever they are and remain in hotels or nearby accommodations,” the statement added.
The Char Dham Yatra 2025 officially began on April 30 with the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dhams on Akshaya Tritiya amid Vedic chants and rituals. The doors of Kedarnath Dham were opened on May 2, and those of Badrinath on May 4. One of the most revered temples in the country dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kedarnath draws countless devotees and visitors from across India.
The high-altitude shrines remain shut for six months every year, opening in summer (April or May) and closing at the onset of winter (October or November). (ANI)
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