The Kedarnath Yatra has resumed after the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund National Highway, blocked due to a landslide near Munkatiya, was partially cleared and reopened for traffic. The National Highways Authority and the executing agency deployed two JCBs and a dozer to remove massive debris and boulders from the road. However, intermittent rockfalls from the hill above continue to hinder full clearance efforts.
The landslide had initially struck around 6 PM on Tuesday, and heavy rainfall that night worsened the situation, damaging a significant portion of the highway and breaking a segment of the Sonprayag-Gaurikund pedestrian route. Since then, tons of debris had blocked the highway completely, halting the yatra for three days.
To manage the situation, returning pilgrims from Kedarnath were guided through temporary forest trails created by NDRF, SDRF, and police personnel to reach Sonprayag. Meanwhile, locals from Sonprayag were allowed to travel towards Gaurikund. Superintendent of Police Akshay Prahlad Konde inspected the affected route from Rudraprayag to Munkatiya, encouraging the on-ground teams and emphasizing the importance of their safety.
According to Executive Engineer Omkar Pandey, continuous rainfall has been causing recurring landslides, making clearance difficult. However, if weather conditions remain stable, the highway is expected to be fully operational by late night.
