1000 pilgrims stranded due to landslides in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: Nearly 1000 pilgrims are stranded in various areas of Garhwal following a series of landslides in Uttarkashi and Chamoli districts.

The landslides, which began following heavy rains during the past few days, are continuing intermittently in various areas of the two district disrupting vehicular traffic on both Rishikeish-Badrinath and Rishikesh-Gangotri highways.

Officials of disaster management and mitigation centre (DMMC), a state government nodal agency for management of disasters, on Friday said that intermittent landslides were continuing at Paatal Ganga, Birahi, Bhimtalla areas of the hilly Chamoli district since Thursday night causing disruption of vehicular traffic on the Rishikesh-Badrinath Highway.

"Due to landslides on the Badiranth-Rishikesh Highway, nearly 400-600 pilgrims are stranded at various areas," they said.

Landslides also hit Bhatwari and Thiran Halkughat areas causing disruption of vehicular traffic on Gangotri-Rishikesh Highway due to which over 500 pilgrims are stranded.

Last year, the government had suspended the chardham yatra to Gangotri and Badrinath shrines following heavy landslides and torrential rains for nearly a week.

Landslides are common in fragile hills of Garhwal region causing disruption in the road network which in turn often cause road accidents leading to fatalities.

toi