Uttarakhand: Death toll mounts to five in Sonprayag landslide; 3 injured
PTC Web Desk: A landslide struck Kedarnath Highway in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district on Monday evening (September 9), leading to the tragic death of five pilgrims and leaving three others injured. The incident occurred between Sonprayag and Munkatia around 7. 20 pm. The police are suspecting that more pilgrims might still be trapped under the debris.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the loss of lives and said rescue operations were in full swing. A group of pilgrims, returning from a visit to Kedarnath, was caught in the landslide. Rescue efforts, involving teams from the local administration, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), are ongoing to save those still trapped.
The body of one pilgrim, identified as Gopal (50) from Dhar, Madhya Pradesh, has been recovered. Three injured pilgrims were rescued and rushed to Sonprayag for medical attention.
#WATCH | Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand: On the landslide on the Kedarnath Dham road in Sonprayag area, Rudraprayag Additional District Magistrate Shyam Singh Rana said, "A landslide occurred on the national highway near Sonprayag due to which the passengers passing through there… pic.twitter.com/3SqIZxCz9W — ANI (@ANI) September 10, 2024
Due to adverse weather and intermittent boulders falling from the hillside, rescue efforts were temporarily halted on Monday night but resumed on Tuesday morning. Four more bodies, including those of three women, were retrieved from the debris. The deceased have been identified as Durgabai Khapar (50) from Ghat district, Madhya Pradesh; Titli Devi (70) from Vaidehi village, Dhanwa district, Nepal; Saman Bai (50) from Dhar, Madhya Pradesh; and Bharat Bhai Niralal (52) from Surat, Gujarat.
The Kedarnath trek route was fully reopened for pilgrims on August 26, after being closed for over 25 days due to heavy rainfall in late July. The route, stretching 19 km from Gaurikund to Kedarnath, had suffered extensive damage at 29 locations, with debris blocking the road and large portions washed away.
- With inputs from agencies
