Chardham yatra suspended due to landslide

The pilgrimage to Chardhams, comprising the four Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, was suspended after fresh landslides today hit the road leading to them, leaving hundreds of pilgrims stranded.

The pilgrimage to Chardhams, comprising the four Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, was suspended after fresh landslides on Tuesday hit the road leading to them, leaving hundreds of pilgrims stranded.

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Rishikesh-Kedarnath road was closed after boulders started falling from a landslide-prone hill at Sirobagar area, while yatra to Gangotri temple remained suspended for the third consecutive day on Tuesday. Roads leading to Badrinath and Yamunotri have been closed since Monday, officials said.

Rishikesh-Gangotri highway, which was hit by landslides at Sainj, Helkugad and Netala in Uttarkashi district, could not be reopened on Tuesday. Similarly, Rishikesh-Badrinath and Rishikesh-Yamunotri highway that were hit by landslides at Govindghat and Chhatanga area respectively, have also been not cleared so far.

PWD, BRO and police personnel are working round-the-clock to clear the debris and reopen the roads for vehicular traffic.

Administrative teams have been sent to the affected areas to take care of stranded pilgrims.

Meanwhile, light to moderate rains continued to lash most parts of Uttarakhand with isolated areas in Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts registering heavy rains.