1,500 pilgrims evacuated from Kedarnath trek after landslide

Rescue operations were launched along the Kedarnath trek route after a landslide blocked passage and triggered continuous rockfall in the region. The incident forced authorities to halt pilgrim movement through the affected stretch, leaving hundreds of devotees stranded in the high-altitude area.

Joint rescue teams, coordinating between multiple agencies, systematically evacuated the trapped pilgrims from the Chirbasa area. The operation involved escorting the approximately 1,500 pilgrims down the route to the safety of Gaurikund, a base camp situated at a lower elevation.

The evacuation was completed as debris continued to fall in the affected zone, posing ongoing safety risks to anyone attempting to traverse the area. Authorities have advised pilgrims to await clearance before resuming their journey to the Kedarnath shrine, one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations in the Indian Himalayas.

Landslides and rockfalls are common hazards along Himalayan trekking routes during certain seasons, particularly when heavy rainfall or snowmelt destabilize mountain slopes. The incident underscores the importance of regular monitoring and quick response protocols to ensure pilgrim safety on these challenging high-altitude routes.