Heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand has triggered a series of landslides and flash floods, severely disrupting the Char Dham Yatra and affecting local life across multiple districts. The Kedarnath yatra was also temporarily halted after the path was blocked due to a landslide.
In Rudraprayag, the pedestrian route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath was shut around 3.30 am on Saturday after a landslide blocked the path with falling debris and boulders. Authorities have halted movement on the stretch, and work is underway to clear the route.
Early Saturday morning, the Rumsi stream in the Bedu Bagad area of Agastyamuni overflowed due to the relentless rain. Several houses, hotels, and parking areas near the Kedarnath highway were flooded.
The gushing water, carrying mud and debris, created flash flood-like conditions. Residents said the stream swelled without warning and pushed a heavy flow of silt and rubble into nearby areas.
Multiple homes and hotels along the highway sustained damage, and many vehicles were buried under debris. Two-wheelers were reportedly submerged, and efforts are ongoing to recover them.
In Uttarkashi, about a 100-metre stretch of the Yamunotri National Highway caved in near Phoolchatti on Friday, cutting off all vehicular movement.
Meanwhile, Bageshwar district recorded over 74 mm of rainfall in the Kapkot block on Friday evening. Nine roads in the area were blocked due to landslides, and 57 JCB machines have been deployed for clearance and relief work.
In Tehri’s Balganga tehsil, a large tree collapsed on the road near Nageshwar Saud on Saturday morning after overnight rainfall weakened its roots.
This has obstructed the Uttarkashi-Kedarnath Char Dham motor route, disrupting movement for Kanwar pilgrims, Char Dham yatris, and local commuters.
The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for heavy rain in Dehradun, Tehri, Nainital, Bageshwar, and Champawat over the next 48 hours, while a yellow alert is in place for the remaining districts.
Authorities have urged locals and pilgrims to check weather updates before travelling, as routes remain dangerous due to the continued downpour.
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