Friday, 27 September 2024
Friday, 27 September 2024
Chamoli landslide devastates amid heavy rains
A massive landslide on the Badrinath National Highway near the Patalganga Langsi tunnel in Chamoli district on Wednesday afternoon has blocked traffic for two days as Uttarakhand continued to be battered by heavy rainfall over the last 24 hours.
Char Dham Yatra pilgrims stranded
A group of 52 pilgrims from Pune who were undertaking the Char Dham Yatra were reportedly stranded in the Govindghat area near Badrinath following the landslide in Chamoli, said local news channels. The landslide blocked parts of the Rishikesh-Chamba-Dharasu National Highway 94 in Tehri district and the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway. Pilgrims were forced to sleep by the roadside as they awaited rescue.
Efforts underway to improve conditions
The Chamoli Police account on X said 11:52 am on Friday that the blocked road near Joshimath had been opened for two-wheelers and pedestrians. Police were helping transport people from one end to the other on the blocked road near Joshimath, they said.
MP Supriya Sule concerned over state of pilgrims
Maharashtra MP from NCP, Supriya Sule, raised concerns on X, stating, “More than 50 people from Pune, Maharashtra, who had set out on the Char Dham Yatra, are stranded in the Govind Ghat area for the last 72 hours due to a landslide. These passengers include senior citizens and women. They have been at the same place for the last 72 hours. Due to that, their food and living conditions are becoming difficult. Therefore, a humble request to the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Ji Dhami, please cooperate with all of them to facilitate air travel from Govind Ghat helipad to Pipalkoti. So that they can return to Maharashtra.”
Char Dham Yatra halted
The pilgrims had independently organised their pilgrimage, departing from Pune on June 28, and were scheduled to return from Delhi by flight on Thursday, July 11. They were on the final leg of their journey, returning from Badrinath, when the landslide occurred, cutting off their route home. Additionally, a bridge built on the river in the Govind Ghat area collapsed in the landslide, preventing movement beyond the area. Among the stranded are several senior citizens.
Heavy rains continue in the state
Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey had reportedly said on Sunday that in view of the IMD’s prediction of heavy rains in Garhwal division on July 7-8, all devotees were urged not to start for the Char Dham yatra beyond Rishikesh on July 7.
The IMD on Friday said that Kapkot (9 cm) and Loharkhet (7 cm) in Bageshwar district had received the most rainfall in Uttarakhand in the last 24 hours.
