The Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rescued two travelers who fell ill while on the Kedarnath Yatra route and took them to a hospital, officials said on Wednesday. The rescue took place in the Munkatia sliding zone near the Sonprayag area. The SDRF post in Sonprayag received information from the Rudraprayag Disaster Control Room that two people traveling from Gaurikund to Sonprayag were stranded near Munkatiya due to road blockage caused by landslides.
Acting quickly, the SDRF team led by Sub-Inspector Bhagat Kandari reached the site. Both travelers were safely guided across the sliding area and transported to Sonprayag Hospital in an ambulance.
Heavy Rainfall Causes Road Damage
Continuous heavy rains in Uttarkashi have caused cracks on the Gangotri National Highway near Dharasu Band. District Magistrate (DM) Prashant Arya visited the site on Wednesday and instructed the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to take immediate safety measures. The DM also asked the BRO and local police to ensure strong security arrangements and make the area safe for local commuters. He noted that monsoon rains have triggered landslides at several new locations along the Yamunotri and Gangotri highways.
Efforts to Keep Roads Open
The National Highway has been repeatedly blocked due to landslides, but work is ongoing to keep it open. The blocked section near Dharasu has been cleared, allowing smooth passage for vehicles.
Widespread Impact of Monsoon Floods
Heavy monsoon rains and severe floods have caused significant damage across northern India, affecting Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Uttarakhand. In recent weeks, landslides, flash floods, and waterlogging have resulted in many deaths, displaced thousands, and damaged infrastructure, farms, and homes. Authorities, including the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, NDRF, and SDRF, are working around the clock to rescue people and provide relief. In Uttarakhand, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall, along with thunderstorms and lightning, in several districts over the next 24 hours.
