Pune Devotees Stranded in Uttarakhand Due to Landslides Amid Heavy Rains

Badrinath/Pune, 12th July 2024: Pune city pilgrims en route to Badrinath Yatra find themselves marooned as incessant rains trigger landslides in Uttarakhand. More than 800 devotees returning from Gurdwara Hemkund Sahib and Shree Badrinath Temple have been stuck in Joshimath and Govind Ghat for the past three days. Additionally, 2,200 passengers are stranded at various locations including Hailang, Pipalkoti, Birahi, and Chamoli. Among the affected are 52 individuals from Pune, trapped near Govind Ghat since July 8th without aid.

The landslides, exacerbated by heavy rainfall, have severely disrupted travel. A landslide near Patalganga on the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway (NH 58) prompted road closure, endangering lives. Another landslide near Joshimath on July 9th compounded the crisis, leaving pilgrims bound for and returning from Badrinath Dham stranded.

While the Patalganga route has reopened, clearance efforts near Joshimath persist amid recurrent landslides, posing challenges. Consequently, regions like Badrinath, Joshimath, Niti Valley, Mana, Tapovan, Malari, Lata, Raini, Pandukeshwar, and Gurdwara Hemkund Sahib remain inaccessible. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) is actively engaged in restoration efforts.

Persistent heavy rainfall has led to the closures of 260 roads across five Uttarakhand districts. Char Dham Yatra participants are cautioned to remain vigilant until all routes are fully accessible.