Kedarnath Trek
Officials reported on Saturday that 8,495 pilgrims stranded along the Kedarnath trek route have been rescued following heavy rains that damaged the route on Wednesday night. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) of Uttarakhand, engaged in the rescue operations, stated that by 3 pm on Saturday, 1,101 people had been rescued via alternative routes, including the Gaurikund-Sonprayag route, the Kedarnath-Chaumasi trek, and 414 using helicopters.
A state government release indicated that Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is overseeing the rescue efforts, with Vinay Shankar Pandey, Commissioner of Garhwal Division, appointed as the nodal officer for infrastructure restoration on the Kedarnath route under CM Dhami’s direction.
In response to the damage from the heavy rainfall, an order from Public Works Department Secretary RK Sudhanshu directed senior officials to visit the district for rescue and restoration efforts, with the Garhwal commissioner ensuring effective implementation.
Rudraprayag district information officer Rati Lala reported the recovery of three bodies from different locations along the Kedarnath route since Wednesday night.
SDRF Commandant Manikant Mishra announced the restoration of the Chirbasa helipad, previously closed due to a landslide, which has now significantly aided the rescue operations. By 3:30 pm, 40 people were rescued from the Chirbasa helipad.
Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police (SP) Vishakha Ashok Bhadane provided an update, stating that landslides from heavy rainfall severely damaged the Kedarnath trek route on July 31. Rescue teams have been active since then, rescuing many who initially couldn’t contact their families due to the rain and network issues. Bhadane dismissed reports of many missing people, noting that those previously unreachable have now reconnected with their families, and many have returned home after being rescued.
Bhadane urged the public to seek accurate information from the police regarding stranded family members and to disregard misleading reports. Officials continue to provide food packets to stranded pilgrims along the route.
District food and supply department distributed food packets for the third consecutive day to pilgrims stranded in Bhimbali and other locations. Additionally, Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) arranged food for those in the Kedarnath shrine area, according to district informatics officer Rati Lala.
Garhwal MP Anil Baluni inspected the disaster-affected areas in Sonprayag on Saturday, conducting both aerial and ground inspections and checking on the affected individuals and rescue operations. Baluni gave directives to the district administration for the rescue of stranded pilgrims and local residents at various locations.
On Friday, Indian Air Force Chinook and Mi-17V5 helicopters were deployed at Gaucher to assist in the rescue of stranded individuals on the Kedarnath trek route and in the Kedarnath shrine area.
