Heavy rain in Uttarakhand has caused major disruptions, blocking the Badrinath-Rishikesh highway due to debris falling at Sirobgad in Pauri Garhwal. Because of this, passenger movement has been stopped for now, affecting people travelling to important pilgrimage sites like Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Hemkund Sahib.
Authorities have deployed JCB machines to remove debris and restore traffic. Police have also been stationed at both ends of the highway to ensure safety and manage the situation on ground.
‘Work is underway on a war footing’
Srinagar Pauri Garhwal District Circle Officer (CO) Anuj Kumar told ANI, “Work is underway on a war footing to open the highway,” emphasising the urgency of the task.
Meanwhile, other parts of the state are also reeling under weather-related disruptions. Continuous rainfall has blocked the National Highway near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani, severely impacting the route to Kedarnath.
In a post on social media platform X, Chamoli Police Uttarakhand said, “The Badrinath National Highway is blocked near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. Work is underway to open the road.”
Kedarnath Yatra route hit, movement controlled
In Rudraprayag district, persistent rainfall forced authorities to restrict movement on the Sonprayag-Munkatiya road on Friday. This route serves as a crucial access point for pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath. Debris and stones near the Sonprayag shuttle bridge and sliding zone near Munkatiya made the road temporarily impassable.
Pilgrims were halted at Sonprayag and Gaurikund as a precaution. Rudraprayag Police later confirmed that once the debris was cleared, movement resumed.
Authorities are now monitoring the weather closely and allowing controlled movement on the route. The district police have urged pilgrims to exercise caution and stay updated with weather forecasts during the Kedarnath Dham Yatra.
Search operation continues after Rudraprayag accident
Rescue efforts are still underway on the Alaknanda River for the second day to find people missing after a bus accident in Rudraprayag on Thursday.
So far, four people have died in the incident. One of the missing passengers was found near the Srinagar dam in Pauri Garhwal, about 40 kilometres from where the accident took place. Search teams remain on high alert, but heavy rainfall is making the operation more difficult.
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