Uttarakhand, Sep.01,2025:Kedarnath Yatra Halted started early Monday when a massive landslide struck the highway between Sonprayag and Gaurikund near Munkatiya, at around 7:34 am. A vehicle was hit, claiming two lives and injuring six more. In response, the Rudraprayag district administration suspended the kedarnath yatra till September 3 to ensure pilgrim safety.
Casualties and Pilgrims
The victims—Rita (30) and Chandra Singh (68) from Barkot, Uttarkashi—died instantly. Six others, including Mohit Chauhan, Naveen Singh Rawat, Pratibha, Mamata, Rajeshwari, and Pankaj, sustained injuries; four were referred to a higher medical center.
Weather Alerts & River Rise
The India Meteorological Department predicted heavy to very heavy rains across the region through early September, prompting orange alerts in multiple districts.
Rivers are swelling dangerously:
- Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers in Rudraprayag have crossed warning levels. Ganga in Rishikesh and Haridwar rises; authorities urge avoidance of ghats.
- The Alaknanda river has risen to touch the platform of the historic Dhari Devi temple—a stark reminder of pre-2013 flood days. Experts, including geologist M. P. S. Bisht, stress close monitoring.
Roads & Temple Areas
Roads to pilgrimage sites are in jeopardy:
- The road between Sonprayag and Gaurikund, site of the landslide, is blocked.
- Concurrent closures and landslides strike the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway; yet Char Dham routes like Gangotri remain partly open.
- The Gangotri highway resumed traffic after 24 days, but authorities remain cautious pending favorable weather.
Wider Impact in Uttarakhand
Beyond Kedarnath, Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib yadtras have also been suspended until September 5 in light of heavy rain warnings.
The state reels from multiple calamities:
- A flash flood on August 5 in Uttarkashi killed at least 5, leaving dozens missing and triggering massive rescue operations.
- Landslides and flash floods since late August caused over five deaths, 11 missing persons, and stranded villages across districts.
Safety Advisories and Recovery
Authorities have issued repeated advisories for pilgrims to postpone travel and stay in safe areas until conditions improve. District Magistrates and Disaster Management teams are on high alert, coordinating readiness and debris clearance.
Historical Context & Future Risk
The current crisis echoes memories of the catastrophic 2013 Kedarnath floods, where a protective boulder saved the shrine while obliterating the surrounding town. Thoughts of that disaster linger as the Alaknanda again rises dangerously.
Environmental experts warn that changing weather patterns and ill-planned infrastructure have amplified the disaster risk.
Kedarnath Yatra Halted is more than a temporary religious disruption—it’s a stark signal of intensifying monsoon threats in the Himalayas. As authorities scramble to secure roads, pilgrims and locals must prioritize safety and heed official alerts. With rivers surging and landslides looming, erring on the side of caution is the wise pilgrimage.
