Major landslide on Kedarnath yatra route, dozen feared missing

Uttarakhand: A devastating landslide has left at least a dozen people feared missing near Gaurikund on the Kedarnath yatra route in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. The incident occurred at Daat Puliya on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday when three shops were washed away into the Mandakini river.

Chamoli District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO), Nandan Singh Rajwar, confirmed the tragic event, stating, “At least a dozen people are feared missing after three shops were washed away in the river due to a landslide near Gauri Kund.”

Rescue and search operations are currently underway, with personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police department, and district administration working tirelessly to locate the missing individuals.

According to Rajwar, the missing individuals are suspected to be shopkeepers and not pilgrims. The incident comes at a time when the monsoon season is in full swing, leading to reduced numbers of pilgrims visiting the Kedarnath shrine due to apprehensions about rain-related incidents.

Further details are awaited.

12 people are believed to be missing after landslide occurred in Gaurikund on #kedarnath trek route in Rudraprayag district. Search operation underway. @uksdrf @NDRFHQ pic.twitter.com/dgdWATAXjZ

— Gaurav Talwar (@gauravtalwarTOI) August 4, 2023