1,500 Kedarnath Pilgrims Rescued After Chirbasa Landslide
Over 1,500 pilgrims were safely evacuated near Chirbasa after a landslide blocked the Kedarnath route. Read how SDRF and NDRF teams executed the rescue.
In a massive rescue operation, approximately 1,500 pilgrims were safely evacuated after being stranded near Chirbasa on the Kedarnath route following a landslide late Sunday night. The operation was carried out through the coordinated efforts of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and District Disaster Response Force (DDRF).
The Midnight Crisis at Chirbasa
The emergency began late Sunday night when the Rudraprayag District Control Room alerted the Sonprayag Police regarding stranded devotees. The landslide occurred near the Chirbasa helipad, located roughly three kilometres from Gaurikund, effectively cutting off the route.
Upon receiving the distress signal, an SDRF team led by Sub-Inspector Ashish Dimri rushed to the location. The situation on the ground was perilous; not only was the path blocked by heavy debris, but continuous rockfalls from the surrounding hillsides posed a constant threat to the lives of those trapped.
A High-Stakes Coordinated Rescue
Recognizing the extreme danger, a joint task force was deployed to manage the crisis. The rescue teams had to navigate the following challenges:
- Unstable Terrain: Constant falling rocks made movement along the stretch incredibly risky.
- Debris Blockage: Large amounts of earth and stone had completely obstructed the path near the helipad.
- Nighttime Conditions: The operation took place during the late hours, complicating visibility and movement.
Prioritizing human life, the SDRF, NDRF, and DDRF teams carefully guided the 1,500 pilgrims through the landslide zone. Despite the ongoing threat of further rockfalls, the teams successfully escorted everyone to the safety of Gaurikund.
Heavy Rainfall Triggers Chaos Across Uttarakhand
This incident is part of a broader pattern of weather-related disruptions in the hill state. Relentless heavy rain has triggered multiple landslides and rockfalls, severely impacting traffic and travel throughout the region.
Earlier on Sunday morning, a significant landslide occurred on the Badrinath-Rishikesh National Highway. Around 8 am, a massive descent of rocks and debris blocked the highway, resulting in long queues of vehicles and leaving many devotees stranded on both sides of the road.
This follows a similar event last week, where over 6,500 pilgrims had to be evacuated after a landslide near the Chirbasa helipad partially destroyed the road. Given the recurring nature of these geological hazards, the state government has issued an urgent advisory for all residents and visitors to exercise extreme caution, monitor weather updates closely, and strictly follow all safety instructions provided by meteorological and administrative agencies.