Garhwal Post Bureau
BADRINATH, 23 Jun: A tragic accident occurred on the Badrinath National Highway in district Chamoli this morning. A car travelling from Joshimath towards Chamoli was struck by falling rocks, resulting in the death of a woman passenger. Two other individuals sustained serious injuries and have been admitted to the nearby Pipalkoti hospital. The tourist vehicle is reportedly from Haryana. The incident took place suddenly near Pataganga this morning. Following the accident, police and SDRF teams arrived at the scene, rescued the injured passengers, and transported them to the hospital. Heavy rainfall overnight is believed to have led to rockfalls in several areas, one of which impacted the tourist vehicle.
It is worth noting that Uttarakhand is currently experiencing continuous heavy rainfall. This is besides the reports of a major landslide near Uttarkashi along the Yamunotri Highway.
The incessant rain has exacerbated difficulties for residents in district Chamoli, with reports of damage emerging from various locations. In addition, the Chamoli-Badrinath National Highway has been obstructed near Bhanir Pani due to debris on the road, with efforts underway to clear it. Continuous rainfall has now begun to trigger landslides in the hills. For several years, the Pipalkoti region has faced similar issues with the onset of monsoon rains. With the road blocked, hundreds of travellers are stranded on the route.
On the Kedarnath trekking route, a seasonal stream near Chhoti Lincholi overflowed after heavy downpours, causing a significant amount of debris to enter shops. Around half a dozen shops were inundated with debris, leading to considerable losses for shopkeepers. Furthermore, falling rocks and debris on the trekking path are hindering movement, making it difficult for pilgrims to commute. Shopkeepers lament that most of their goods have been ruined.
Meanwhile, another major incident has been reported from Uttarkashi. A landslide on the Yamunotri trekking route has caused quite a stir, with several pilgrims caught in the debris. Currently, four to five pilgrims are reported to be trapped under the rubble. Upon receiving information about the incident, NDRF, SDRF, and police teams rushed to the spot and have commenced rescue operations. One injured person has already been rescued. There’s an atmosphere of chaos on the pilgrimage route at present. The administration has appealed to people to maintain calm and remain in safe locations.
The Uttarkashi District Information Officer stated that this evening at 4:12 p.m., a section of the hill near Nau Kainchi Bend on the Yamunotri trekking route suddenly collapsed without any rain. It is feared that four to five pilgrims are trapped in the debris. For safety reasons, police have imposed a ban on movement near Nau Kainchi Bend. Janaki Chatti outpost in-charge Gambhir Singh Tomar, who reached the spot, confirmed that stranded pilgrims are being evacuated. The rescued pilgrim is currently receiving treatment. District Magistrate Prashant Kumar Arya is monitoring the situation from the Smart Control Room.
