Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 4 Jul: Uttarakhand continues to reel under the impact of heavy monsoon rains, with widespread landslides disrupting normal life and halting pilgrimage routes. The Meteorological Centre in Dehradun has issued a high alert for tomorrow, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts, including Dehradun, Tehri, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar. Light to moderate rain is likely in other parts of the state. The meteorological department has also extended its alert till 10 July, forecasting continued rainfall in most districts.
It may be recalled that since the arrival of the monsoon in Uttarakhand on 20 June, incessant rain has triggered landslides and flash floods across the state. Many roads have been damaged, rivers are in spate, and waterlogging has affected urban areas. The Kedarnath pedestrian route near Gauri Kund was blocked today due to a massive landslide caused by rockfall and hillside debris at a stream called Chhori. Thousands of pilgrims remained stranded as the story was filed, and the Kedarnath Yatra has been temporarily suspended. SDRF teams are on-site, assisting with rescue and clearance efforts.
Superintendent of Police Akshay Prahlad Konde informed media that a key stretch near Gauri Kund is being cleared by the Public Works Department, with security forces guiding pilgrims safely across both ends. The Sonprayag–Gauri Kund motor road has also been repeatedly affected by slides, making the route unpredictable and dangerous.
District Magistrate, Rudraprayag, Prateek Jain said NDRF and SDRF teams, along with labourers, have been deployed to clear debris, and efforts are being made to regulate pilgrim movement depending on the weather. Meanwhile, a landslide near Badrish Hotel in Umatta on the Badrinath Highway also led to partial traffic closure. Light vehicles are being diverted via Karnaprayag–Sivai–Kaleshwar.
In Karnaprayag, the main water supply line has been damaged, affecting around 5,000 people. Jal Sansthan has initiated repairs. Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari has directed departments to remain on high alert and ensure quick response to emergencies. The administration has urged pilgrims and locals to follow advisories and avoid risky travel during ongoing rains.
