Cloudburst in Kedarnath triggers landslide, 200 pilgrims stranded

Nature's fury has once again struck Uttarakhand, with fears of massive destruction following a cloudburst in Kedarnath. The incident occurred on Wednesday night, causing a significant rise in the water level of the Mandakini River in Sonprayag. The cloudburst in Lyncholi has prompted all emergency systems, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district police, and district administration, to be on high alert. Reports indicate that approximately 150 to 200 pilgrims may be stranded in Kedarnath Dham.

Sources reveal that the cloudburst has affected the Kedarnath pedestrian route at Bhim Bali Gadera, resulting in a landslide. Heavy boulders and debris have damaged about 30 meters of the pedestrian route, leading authorities to halt movement as a precautionary measure. Currently, around 150 to 200 pilgrims are stranded in Bhim Bali, though no casualties have been reported so far.

The Regional Meteorological Center has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in seven districts of Uttarakhand over the next 48 hours. The warning, effective from Tuesday night, indicates a likelihood of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning in isolated areas of Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Champawat districts.