What Happened in the Landslide in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag?

Synopsis
A tragic landslide in <b>Rudraprayag</b> claimed the lives of two pilgrims and left four injured. This incident highlights the dangers of hilly roads during the pilgrimage season. Local authorities are urging caution among travelers. Discover the full story of this heartbreaking accident and its implications for safety in the region.
Key Takeaways
- Two fatalities and four injuries reported due to a landslide.
- Incident occurred on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund highway.
- Authorities are urging caution for travelers.
- Rescue operations were promptly initiated.
- Highlighting the vulnerability of hilly roads during pilgrimage seasons.
Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand), May 31 (NationPress) - In a devastating incident, two individuals, including the driver of a vehicle transporting pilgrims to Kedarnath, lost their lives and four others sustained injuries due to a landslide on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund highway, as reported by officials on Saturday.
This unfortunate event transpired near Kakragad late Friday evening, roughly 30 km from the district headquarters of Rudraprayag. A massive boulder dislodged from a hillside and collided with the vehicle en route to the Kedarnath temple.
All passengers were residents of Chhattisgarh.
The local administration revealed that the vehicle was occupied by six individuals, including the driver, during the incident. The driver, identified as Rajesh Rawat, aged 38, and a resident of Nag Paniyala, Lambgaon, New Tehri, tragically died at the scene.
Another passenger, Shailendra Kumar, aged 24, succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital.
The injured, which include Laxman Singh (24), Omkar Singh (24), Vipesh Yadav (19), and Chitransh Sahu, all from Durg district in Chhattisgarh, were swiftly taken to the Community Health Centre in Agastyamuni.
Emergency services and local assistance facilitated their transport to the medical facility, where they are currently receiving treatment.
Nandan Singh Rajwar, the District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO), confirmed these details, stating that rescue teams—including police and District Disaster Response Force (DDRF) personnel—immediately reached the location following reports of the incident and initiated a rescue operation.
This tragedy brings to light the ongoing risks associated with hilly roads in Uttarakhand, especially during the pilgrimage season when traffic to Kedarnath increases significantly.
Authorities have urged travelers to exercise caution and stay updated on weather and road conditions provided by local administration.