Pilgrims stranded at Badrinath

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, August 7

Torrential rains continued to wreak havoc in different parts of Garhwal and Kumaon divisions today. As many as 340 pilgrims are stranded at Badrinath in Garhwal division.

The State Emergency Operation Centre reports state that the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway (NH-58) is closed after a landslide at Lambaggad while 30 other roads are blocked in Chamoli district.

The pilgrims are stranded on the Rishikesh-Kedarnath National Highway (NH-109) due to landslides at Munkotia, Doliyamandir and Gaurikund in Rudraprayag district. Eighteen roads, excluding the Rishikesh-Gangotri National Highway (108) and the Rishikesh-Yamunotri National Highway (94) are closed due to landslides in Uttarkashi district. The district administration is trying to open blocked routes at Gangnani, Helugaud, and Jankichatti, but could not succeed. A total of 27 roads are blocked in Pauri Garhwal district while seven roads are blocked in Almora district. Traffic remained disrupted on 11 roads in Tehri Garhwal district.

The strategically-important Joshimath-Malari highway in Chamoli district bordering China was damaged at Suriathota by landslides triggered by incessant rains. The district administration and Border Road Organisation (BRO) officials struggled to clear debris from the road to restore traffic but could not succeeded due to inclement weather.

Ravi Shankar, Joint Secretary, Disaster Management, said every possible measure would be taken by to open blocked roads in the disaster affected areas of the state. He said additional workforce had been deployed to clear debris from the roads.