Over 200 pilgrims stranded on the Kedarnath pilgrimage route in northern India’s Uttarakhand are being safely evacuated by SDRF teams using alternative paths through rugged terrain.

The incident took place on the Kedarnath pilgrimage route between Sonprayag and Bheem Bali in the Rudraprayag district on August 1.

Visuals showed rescue team members were navigating through treacherous mountain paths to reach those stranded, working under challenging conditions. They formed a single line to guide the rescued individuals safely towards the helipad.

In a challenging rescue operation, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are working tirelessly to evacuate over 200 stranded pilgrims on the Kedarnath route between Sonprayag and Bheem Bali. The pilgrims were trapped following a landslide caused by heavy rainfall near Bheem Bali.

SDRF teams, along with the police, have been creating alternative paths through the perilous mountain terrain to ensure the safe evacuation of the pilgrims. As part of the rescue efforts, the rescued individuals are being transported to an emergency helipad. Moreover, the rescuers are gathering information from the evacuees about other stranded individuals to expedite their rescue.

The heavy rains on the previous night led to road blockages near Bheem Bali, leaving two hundred pilgrims stranded. From Thursday morning, SDRF and police teams have been diligently clearing the path by cutting through dense bushes on the hazardous hillside.

The inclement weather has resulted in eight fatalities and five injuries across the state. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has reached the Disaster Management Center to oversee the rescue and relief operations. If the weather clears, he plans to conduct an aerial survey of the disaster-affected areas in Tehri and Uttarkashi districts on Thursday.

In a statement issued on Thursday, CM Dhami mentioned that the heavy rains since Wednesday night have disrupted life in several areas. Rescue teams have been working through the night to ensure the safety of the affected individuals. He assured continuous communication with the local administration and has instructed NDRF and SDRF teams to remain on high alert in the affected regions.

The Chief Minister emphasized that relief and rescue operations are actively ongoing in heavily impacted areas such as Rambara, Bheem Bali, and Jakhniali. He is in constant contact with local representatives to obtain real-time updates on the situation. Local administrations have been directed to promptly assess and address the damages. The safety of every resident and pilgrim in the state is a top priority, and the entire team is working with utmost dedication. He urged everyone to stay informed about the weather and travel conditions before embarking on their journeys.