Badrinath-Rishikesh Highway Blocked Due to Heavy Rain
Heavy rainfall and rockfalls have blocked the Badrinath-Rishikesh National Highway, leaving pilgrims stranded. Read for latest updates and safety advisories.
Life in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand has been thrown into chaos following two days of relentless downpours. On Sunday morning, the Badrinath-Rishikesh Highway was completely obstructed after massive amounts of debris and rocks tumbled from the hillsides, cutting off a vital artery for travelers.
The incident occurred around 8 am on Sunday, causing immediate disruption to the movement of pilgrims and locals alike. As the hillside gave way, a thick layer of rocks and mud settled across the National Highway, leaving a long line of vehicles stranded on both sides of the blockage.
Pilgrims Stranded Amidst Weather Chaos
The blockage has dealt a significant blow to devotees traveling to the sacred shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. Large queues of vehicles have formed, stretching far along the affected stretch, as travelers wait for the road to be cleared. Despite the treacherous conditions and the continuous rain, many pilgrims are still making their way toward Kedarnath Dham to offer prayers to Baba Kedar.
To manage the growing crisis, the following measures have been implemented:
- Police Vigilance: The Srinagar Police in Pauri Garhwal have increased patrolling and monitoring of vulnerable stretches to prevent further accidents.
- High Alert: The Rudraprayag district administration has been placed on high alert to manage the influx of visitors and ensure public safety.
- Safety Appeals: Authorities are urging commuters to stop at safe locations and avoid moving forward until the Sirobagarh stretch is cleared.
Administrative Warnings and Safety Advisories
As landslides and rockfalls continue to be triggered by the heavy rainfall across the state, the Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee (BKTC) has issued a strong advisory. They are urging all pilgrims to exercise extreme caution and strictly comply with the safety guidelines provided by the local administration.
The Meteorological Department had previously issued forecasts for most districts of Uttarakhand covering September 26 and 27, highlighting the severity of the weather. In response, the state government has reiterated its plea to both residents and tourists to:
- Check the latest weather updates before attempting any travel.
- Follow all safety advisories issued by meteorological and administrative agencies.
- Refrain from taking unnecessary risks in landslide-prone areas.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as rescue and clearing operations are expected to follow once the weather permits.