Movement restricted in Rudraprayag as heavy rain disrupts Kedarnath Yatra

Continuous heavy rain in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district has caused major disruptions in the Kedarnath Yatra. Authorities have restricted movement on the Sonprayag-Munkatiya road due to landslides and falling debris. This road is important as it connects pilgrims to the Kedarnath Dham shrine.

Officials reported that the road near the Sonprayag shuttle bridge and the sliding zone around Munkatiya was blocked by stones and mud falling from the hills. Due to these conditions, the area became unsafe for vehicles and people.

For the safety of pilgrims, movement was temporarily stopped at Sonprayag and Gaurikund, two key points on the Kedarnath route. Once the debris was cleared and the path was safe, people were allowed to continue their journey. The road is now being opened and closed as needed, depending on the weather and safety conditions. Extra care is being taken by the police and administrative teams to ensure everyone’s safety.

Rudraprayag Police released a statement saying that due to the ongoing rain and landslides, reopening the road completely remains a challenge. However, they are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local workers and rescue teams.

Pilgrims have been advised to be extra cautious while planning their travel to Kedarnath. The police have also suggested checking weather updates before starting the journey. Officials say they are doing their best to help stranded travelers and keep everyone safe during the yatra.

Search continues after deadly bus accident

Along with the weather-related disruption, a tragic bus accident has added to the crisis in Rudraprayag. A bus heading from Rudraprayag to Badrinath fell into a 300-metre-deep gorge in the Gholtir area after colliding with another vehicle. The bus landed in the Alaknanda River.

Search and rescue operations entered the second day on Friday. So far, four people have been confirmed dead in the accident. One of the victims, Gauri Soni, was found floating near the Srinagar Dam in Pauri Garhwal, nearly 40 kilometers from the crash site.

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The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), along with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), has deployed multiple search teams along the Alaknanda River. Teams have been divided across key locations like Goa Beach, Dhari Devi, and the dam area to look for any sign of the missing passengers.

SDRF Inspector Manjari Negi said that the teams are using binoculars, rafts, and other equipment to search the area. "As soon as we received the alert, we started operations. We divided our teams into three parts and began searching all possible points," she said.

The SDRF and SSB are working together with full effort to find the missing passengers and recover any bodies. The rescue teams are also using underwater equipment (OVM) to scan the riverbed.

The incident has shocked the local community and raised concerns about road safety, especially during the monsoon season when roads become slippery and visibility is low. Authorities are now focusing on rescue efforts while also managing the risks posed by heavy rainfall in the area.

Both the weather situation and the aftermath of the bus accident have made conditions extremely difficult in Rudraprayag. Officials have urged the public to stay informed and follow safety instructions until conditions improve.