Rudraprayag, July 3
Amid relentless rainfall and deteriorating weather conditions in Uttarakhand, around 40 devotees returning from the Kedarnath Dham were rescued by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) on Thursday after being stranded near the Sonprayag landslide zone.
The pilgrims were trapped following a sudden landslide that caused debris to block the route around 10 p.m. on Wednesday, making movement impossible.
The landslide occurred near Sonprayag, a crucial transit point on the Kedarnath Yatra route. Responding swiftly, SDRF teams reached the site and conducted a high-risk nighttime rescue operation.
Video footage released by the SDRF showed officials manoeuvring through the debris under dangerous conditions to safely evacuate the stranded pilgrims.
The hill state continues to grapple with widespread disruptions triggered by heavy rainfall. The Badrinath National Highway was blocked near the Badrish Hotel in Umtta following a fresh landslide, according to Chamoli Police.