# Falling Rocks Near Chirbasa Kill Rudraprayag Resident, Kedarnath Trek Suspended

> A resident of Ukhimath lost his life after being hit by falling rocks near the Chirbasa helipad on the Kedarnath trek route. Authorities have halted pilgrim movement at Gaurikund and Kedarnath as a safety precaution.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Uttarakhand · **Published:** 2026-09-13 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/uttarakhand/chirbasa-ke-pasa-pahari-se-gire-patthara-rudraprayag-ke-gramina-ki-mauta-ke-bada-kedarnath-yatra-roki-gai-31814 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Kedarnath Yatra, Rudraprayag Accident, Chirbasa Landslide, Char Dham Yatra, Uttarakhand News, Gaurikund

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.

## What this means for you
The accident and travel suspension on the Kedarnath trek route directly impact pilgrims planning to visit the shrine.

- **Across India:** Devotees planning to join the second phase of the Char Dham Yatra starting 15 September should check route and weather updates before departing. Travel schedules may experience delays until safety is restored on the trek.
- **In Uttarakhand and Rudraprayag:** Pilgrims currently located at Gaurikund and Kedarnath are being kept in safe zones. Trekking track repair work and rescue operations in the Chirbasa area remain suspended until the hillside stabilizes.

## Why this happened
A section of the hill near the Chirbasa helipad on the Kedarnath route has become unstable, causing heavy rocks to repeatedly tumble onto the pedestrian path.

- **Hillside Instability:** Post-monsoon soil loosening has kept the landslide zone near Chirbasa continuously active.
- **Rockfall Without Rain:** Even without heavy rainfall in the area, loose rocks on upper slopes are sliding down onto the trekking path.
- **Repeated Incidents:** This specific hazard has claimed 3 lives over the past 15 days, prompting authorities to halt pilgrim movement until the zone is secured.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Where did the accident on the Kedarnath route take place?
The accident took place near the Chirbasa helipad on the Kedarnath trekking route in Rudraprayag district.

### 2. Who was killed in the accident?
Mohan Tiwari, a resident of Pathali village in Ukhimath, Rudraprayag, died on the spot after being hit by falling rocks.

### 3. Where have pilgrims been stopped by authorities?
Pilgrims travelling up to the shrine have been halted at Gaurikund, while those returning have been asked to stay at Kedarnath.

### 4. When does the second phase of the Char Dham Yatra begin?
The second phase of the Char Dham Yatra is scheduled to commence on 15 September.

### 5. How many fatalities from rockfalls have occurred in the Chirbasa area recently?
There have been 3 fatalities due to falling rocks in the Chirbasa stretch over the past 15 days.

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