Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun/Rudraprayag, 7 Jul: Heavy rain lashing Uttarakhand since last night has led to the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers swelling dangerously, while landslides and debris have blocked several key highways, severely hampering the Char Dham Yatra and have badly affected road connectivity across the state. The Badrinath and Kedarnath highways are bearing the brunt, as frequent landslips and falling boulders have brought vehicular movement to a near halt, leaving pilgrims stranded and locals struggling.
According to the State Emergency Operations Centre, more than 50 roads, including two national highways, stand closed due to heavy debris. In Dehradun district, the Vikasnagar–Kalsi–Barkot National Highway remains blocked at Lakhwar Bend near kilometre 26, while three rural roads are also affected. In Uttarkashi, the Rishikesh–Yamunotri National Highway is obstructed at Aujri, in addition to the closure of one state highway and eleven rural roads. Rudraprayag has three rural roads cut off; the Kathgodam–Haidakhan State Highway is blocked in Nainital; Chamoli district faces disruption on thirteen rural roads; Pithoragarh on seven; Bageshwar on four; Pauri on three; and Tehri on two.
A major landslide at Munkatia along the Kedarnath Yatra route has rendered the road impassable, with large volumes of debris and boulders blocking the way. Consequently, pilgrims en route to Kedarnath have been halted at Sonprayag. After sustained efforts, pedestrian movement and shuttle services have resumed partially. The Badrinath Highway at Sirohbagad, which had also witnessed a blockade due to falling debris, has since been cleared through prompt action by National Highway authorities. However, should the rainfall persist, the disruption is likely to intensify further.
In the hills, uninterrupted rains have continued to batter hill districts since the previous night. Conditions in and around Rudraprayag, including Kedarnath Dham, have turned precarious, with the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers surging past safe limits and submerging parts of the confluence zone in Rudraprayag.
Munkatia has emerged as a critical danger zone, where persistent landslides between Sonprayag and Gaurikund continue to dislodge massive boulders, blocking the Kedarnath Highway and compelling the administration to temporarily suspend the yatra very frequently. Pilgrims are allowed to proceed from Sonprayag only on foot. Similarly, the Gaurikund–Kedarnath trekking path remains hazardous, with rockfalls posing serious risks at multiple points. The Badrinath Highway at Sirobagad also continues to pose a threat, as landslides from its upper reaches show no sign of abating.
The Sirohbagad stretch has long been a chronic trouble spot during monsoons. For over three decades, it has disrupted travel for both Char Dham pilgrims and residents of Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts, yet no permanent stabilisation effort has borne fruit.
