A tragic accident occurred along the Kedarnath walking route in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district near the Chirbasa helipad. A local resident died on the spot after being struck by loose boulders falling from an upper hillside. The deceased has been identified as Mohan Tiwari, a resident of Pathali village in the Ukhimath area of Rudraprayag. Police forces and emergency disaster rescue teams immediately rushed to the scene to secure the location.
Pilgrim Movement Paused at Gaurikund and Kedarnath
Continuous rockfalls have turned the Chirbasa stretch into a highly vulnerable zone for pedestrian traffic. Due to the active nature of the landslide, administrative authorities have issued a high alert across the trekking corridor. To safeguard travelers, pilgrims journeying toward the shrine have been temporarily stopped at Gaurikund, while those returning from Kedarnath have been requested to remain at the temple site. All rescue efforts and maintenance work by laborers have also been suspended until the slope stabilizes.
Three Fatalities in 15 Days Despite Mild Rainfall
The Chirbasa zone has witnessed a concerning frequency of rockfall incidents over the past fortnight. This recent casualty brings the total death toll from falling stones along this specific stretch to three within just 15 days. Notably, the region has not experienced heavy downpours in recent days, yet loose stones continue to slide down the mountain face, raising serious safety concerns for monitoring personnel and administrators.
Second Phase of Yatra Commences on September 15
Despite these terrain hazards, pilgrim enthusiasm for the Char Dham pilgrimage remains strong as the monsoon recedes. The second phase of the annual pilgrimage is scheduled to start on 15 September. The Badrinath and Kedarnath Temple Committee has intensified preparations for this upcoming leg to ensure seamless darshan arrangements and enhanced civic facilities for devotees arriving from across the nation. Pilgrim arrivals are expected to surge further before the ceremonial closing of the shrine gates for the winter season.
