Uttarakhand: 3 dead, 17 missing in Rudraprayag landslide

Devastating torrential rains triggered a destructive landslide at a revered Hindu temple's base camp in the Rudraprayag of Uttarakhand, resulting in the tragic loss of three lives, officials reported on Saturday.

The District Administration, Rudraprayag, has received information stating that 3 people have been killed and 17 people are missing in the landslide that occurred 16 km before Kedarnath in Rudraprayag's Gaurikund.

17 missing in Gaurikund, Uttarakhand

An additional 17 individuals were reported as missing in the village of Gaurikund in Uttarakhand state, according to Nandan Singh Rajwar, a senior official from the Disaster Management unit of the region. This includes members of two families and several pilgrims.

The landslide occurred on Thursday night when a segment of a hill collapsed due to relentless rainfall. Enormous boulders tumbled onto roadside shops and eateries, subsequently being carried away by the swift Mandakini River.

Rajwar indicated that rescue teams recommenced their search efforts on Saturday, but progress was hindered by the continued heavy rainfall in the vicinity.

"Until Friday evening, the (rescue) teams were able to recover only three bodies," Rajwar stated, as rescue operations had to be suspended due to the relentless rain and limited visibility.

Gaurikund, nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand, has historically served as the starting point for numerous devout pilgrims embarking on their spiritual journey to the revered Kedarnath temple — a paramount pilgrimage site for Hindus. The scenic locale attracts both tourists and religious devotees from around the globe.

Land collapse near airstrip, dam's impact

Reportedly, an approximately 60-meter stretch of land has collapsed in an area situated near a strategically significant airstrip. Officials attribute the nearby Tehri Dam as the underlying cause of this landslide.

The highway leading up to Bhatwadi has been inaccessible to traffic since morning, extending up to 500 meters ahead of the area. This closure is a result of falling debris. Uttarkashi's District Administration has noted that this situation has posed challenges for devotees of the Gangotri Dham Yatra, leaving them stranded on their journey.

Uttarakhand has witnessed a distressing toll this monsoon season, with 31 casualties, 31 injuries, and 1,176 homes damaged, as reported by officials. The State Disaster Management Department has indicated that cloudbursts and landslides have been the primary culprits behind the loss of life and property.

Officials explained, "From June 15 of this year, the state has experienced 10 fatalities and 5 injuries due to landslides, 19 deaths and 21 injuries due to cloudbursts or heavy rainfall, 2 deaths and 5 injuries from lightning strikes. Cloudbursts alone have accounted for the complete destruction of 32 houses."

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