Garhwal Post Bureau
Rudraprayag, 1 Sep: In yet another tragic reminder of the dangers posed by landslides in Uttarakhand’s hill terrain, two pilgrims lost their lives and three others sustained injuries when a Bolero vehicle was crushed by falling boulders on the Sonprayag–Munkatiya stretch of the Kedarnath pilgrimage route, today. The incident occurred at around 7:15 a.m., when the vehicle, carrying eleven passengers from Uttarkashi, was en route from Sonprayag to Gaurikund. A sudden landslide near the Munkatiya landslide zone sent massive stones tumbling down the slope, one of which struck the Bolero with devastating force.
District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar has confirmed that all the passengers hailed from Uttarkashi and were undertaking the sacred journey to Kedarnath. He stated that two individuals died instantly at the site, while two others were critically injured, and one sustained minor injuries. Rajwar stated that the injured were swiftly transported to Sonprayag Hospital for immediate medical attention, with two later referred to a higher medical centre following first aid.
The accident scene resulted in huge chaos and anguish. The local residents and SDRF personnel rushed to rescue the trapped passengers. A viral video circulating on social media shows the Bolero completely mangled under the weight of the fallen boulders, underscoring the severity of the impact. Eyewitnesses reported that the vehicle had just departed from Sonprayag when the landslide occurred, catching the passengers completely off guard.
The Police officials have taken custody of the deceased and have initiated formal proceedings related to the accident. Investigations into the incident are currently underway. The complete destruction of the vehicle and the tragic loss of life have once again drawn attention to the persistent threat of landslides in the region, especially during the monsoon season when the terrain becomes increasingly unstable.
The injured have been identified as Naveen Singh Rawat (35), son of Jayendra Singh; Mamta (29), wife of Chain Singh Pawar; and Pratibha (25), daughter of Girwar Singh, all residents of Sialab under Barkot police station in Uttarkashi district. Naveen and Mamta, who sustained serious injuries, were referred to a higher medical facility after receiving initial treatment.
The deceased have been identified as Rita (30), wife of Uday Singh, and Chandra Singh (50), son of Kalam Singh, both residents of Sialab. Their untimely demise has cast a pall of grief over the local community and serves as a grim reminder of the perils faced by pilgrims navigating the treacherous mountain roads.
