Breaking News: Landslide on Kedarnath Yatra Route Claims Lives, Injures Pilgrims
Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand, June 18, 2025 – A devastating landslide struck the Kedarnath Yatra trekking route near Jungle Chatti in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, claiming the lives of two pilgrims and injuring three others. The incident occurred around 11:20 AM today when large boulders rolled down from a hillside, crashing onto the busy pathway used by thousands of devotees during the Char Dham Yatra.
According to Rudraprayag Police, the landslide trapped five pilgrims, including porters and a woman, under debris. Two individuals, reportedly porters assisting a pilgrim, died on the spot. Three others sustained injuries and have been rushed to nearby medical facilities for treatment. One pilgrim remains missing, with rescue operations ongoing to locate and assist those affected.
The tragedy has prompted authorities to suspend the Kedarnath Yatra from Sonprayag until further notice, citing safety concerns due to unstable terrain and adverse weather conditions. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the incident and directed the district administration to provide immediate relief and support to the victims and their families.
This is the second major incident to disrupt the Kedarnath Yatra in recent days, following a helicopter crash near Gaurikund on June 15, which killed seven people. The region has been battered by heavy rainfall, increasing the risk of landslides and prompting a yellow alert from the meteorological department for Rudraprayag and surrounding areas.
Police and disaster response teams, including the DDRF, are on-site, escorting stranded pilgrims to safety and clearing debris from the affected route. Authorities have urged devotees to avoid unnecessary travel, stay in safe accommodations, and monitor weather advisories before resuming their journey.
The Char Dham Yatra, which began on April 30, 2025, has seen over 10 lakh visitors to Kedarnath alone in the past 45 days, highlighting the route’s significance and the challenges posed by the region’s treacherous terrain during the monsoon season.
Stay tuned for further updates as rescue efforts continue.
