Adi Kailash yatra halted after landslide blocks key route; find details here
Adi Kailash Yatra
route in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district, leaving hundreds of pilgrims stranded and prompting authorities to suspend the pilgrimage temporarily.
The landslide blocked the strategic Dharchula-Lipulekh road, a critical segment of the Adi Kailash Yatra route. Triggered by continuous rainfall, the landslide brought down heavy debris and boulders, cutting off access to the remote Himalayan valleys of Darma, Chaudas, and Byas.
According to officials, pilgrims and locals have been affected by the roadblock. Many were en route to the sacred Adi Kailash peak, which stands at an elevation of 5,945 m near the Indo-China border.
The pilgrimage, which started on May 2, holds deep religious significance in Hindu tradition and attracts thousands of devotees each year.
Although numerous teams and large equipment have been sent in by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to remove the debris, the size and quantity of the boulders are making the task challenging. As a precautionary measure, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has also closed a pedestrian suspension bridge between India and Nepal at the Alagad-Badugaon point, fearing further landslides or rockfalls due to ongoing slope-cutting work nearby.
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District authorities have instructed tour operators to halt further pilgrim movement until the road is cleared. While no casualties have been reported, stranded pilgrims have been asked to remain in safe areas, and efforts are being made to provide them with food, shelter, and medical aid.
District authorities stated that all necessary agencies are working to restore the blocked road and that efforts are ongoing to provide food, shelter, and medical support to those stranded.
Pilgrims have been advised to remain in safe areas until the route is cleared.
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The incident once again highlights the vulnerability of high-altitude roads in the Himalayas, particularly during pre-monsoon and monsoon periods. Local officials have advised travellers to stay updated through official channels and avoid unnecessary movement in the area until normalcy is restored.
The Adi Kailash Yatra is on hold for now, as per the reports, while rescue and road-clearing operations continue, with officials concentrating on safely evacuating stranded people and reopening vital access points.
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