Daijiworld Media Network – Rudraprayag

Rudraprayag, Jul 22: The Kedarnath Yatra was temporarily suspended on Wednesday after a landslide triggered by heavy rain blocked the pilgrimage route near Gaurikund in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district.

According to officials, boulders and debris fell on the trekking route near Chhodi, about one kilometre beyond Gaurikund, obstructing the path and prompting authorities to halt the movement of pilgrims as a precaution.

District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said devotees were immediately stopped at safe locations after the landslide was reported to ensure their safety.

Teams from the Public Works Department (PWD) and other agencies have begun clearing the debris to restore the route. The District Disaster Management Authority and police are continuously monitoring the situation, while the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) have been kept on standby for emergency deployment.

Officials said the yatra would resume only after the route is declared completely safe.

Rajwar appealed to pilgrims to remain patient and cooperate with the administration until clearance work is completed.

The incident comes days after another landslide forced the temporary closure of the same trekking corridor near Chhaudi, between Gaurikund and Cheelbasa. The route was reopened later after debris was cleared.

Earlier this year, more than 10,000 pilgrims were evacuated from the Sonprayag-Gaurikund corridor following multiple landslides caused by heavy rainfall.

The Kedarnath pilgrimage route frequently witnesses landslides during the monsoon season due to the region's steep Himalayan terrain, unstable slopes and continuous rainfall, often leading authorities to suspend movement until safety inspections are completed.