Families Desperate for News: Over 150 Pilgrims Unreachable After Kedarnath Cloudburst

Over 200 Pilgrims Stranded

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Kedarnath Cloudburst

Kedarnath: A cloudburst struck the Kedarnath region, causing significant damage to approximately 30 meters of the walking path. The Bhim Bali stream, which runs alongside the path, experienced a landslide, rendering a 30-meter stretch temporarily impassable. Authorities promptly closed the route for safety reasons.

Pilgrims in Peril

  • Stranded Pilgrims: An estimated 150 to 200 pilgrims find themselves trapped in Kedarnath due to the landslides triggered by the cloudburst. Communication services have broken down, exacerbating the situation. While some pilgrims are making their way through the forests to Chaumasi, there is no mobile service available on this alternate route either.
  • Rescue Efforts: The police, along with the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local officials, are working tirelessly to rescue the stranded pilgrims. The rescue operation is expected to conclude by Saturday, providing clarity on the well-being of those affected.

Missing Persons and Identification Challenges

  • Unidentified Deceased: Two bodies were recovered from the debris in Lincholi, but their identities remain unknown. The Rudraprayag district administration has not yet registered a missing persons report for them.
  • Family Distress: Over 150 complaints have flooded the police control room from worried family members unable to contact their loved ones. These pilgrims had embarked on their journey to Kedarnath before the cloudburst struck.
  • Hope Amidst Challenges: Despite the communication blackout, more than 20 people have been successfully contacted after Friday’s rescue efforts. However, the full extent of missing persons will only become clear once the rescue operation concludes.
Kedarnath Cloudburst

Alternate Routes

  • Guptkashi via Chaumasi: Stranded pilgrims are making their way to Guptkashi via Chaumasi. So far, over 200 pilgrims have safely returned from Kedarnath using this route.

No casualties have been reported so far, but authorities remain vigilant as they address this natural disaster. The Kedarnath valley remains cut off, and the Char Dham yatra to the Kedarnath shrine has been temporarily halted.

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