Monsoon Tragedy: Landslides Strike Char Dham and Vaishno Devi Routes

The onset of heavy monsoon rains has triggered a series of devastating landslides across major pilgrimage routes in North India, causing widespread disruption and tragedy. The sacred Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand and the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir have both been severely affected, resulting in multiple deaths, several injuries, and thousands of pilgrims facing hazardous conditions.

Tragedy Strikes Pilgrim In Uttarakhand

In Uttarakhand, the Char Dham pilgrimage has been hit by multiple fatal incidents this week.

On the route to the Yamunotri shrine, a massive landslide occurred when large boulders crashed onto a pedestrian path. The incident proved fatal, claiming the lives of a teenage girl and another unidentified person whose body was too severely damaged for identification. One pilgrim, Rasik from Mumbai, was pulled from the debris with injuries and rushed to a local health center.

In a separate tragedy on the Badrinath highway, a family from Haryana returning from their pilgrimage was struck by falling boulders. The impact killed 36-year-old Shilpa on the spot, while her husband and 10-year-old child sustained injuries and were taken to a nearby hospital.

These events follow another recent incident where two tourists from Hyderabad were killed when rocks fell on their motorcycle. (this did not happen in north india so can skip)

The continuous downpour has also led to major travel disruptions. The Badrinath National Highway (NH-54) was blocked for over six hours near Pipalkoti after heavy rainfall, forcing authorities to work tirelessly to clear the road for one-way traffic.

Vaishno Devi Yatra Disrupted in Jammu and Kashmir

Meanwhile, in Jammu and Kashmir, heavy rains in the Katra region caused a significant landslide on the path to the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.

The landslide has forced the suspension of the popular battery car service, which is a key mode of transport for the elderly and those with mobility issues. The adverse weather has also kept helicopter services grounded for several consecutive days and halted the cable car that runs between the Vaishno Devi Bhawan and the Bhairav Valley

With modern routes closed, pilgrims are now relying on the old, traditional foot-path, leading to heavy crowding and challenging conditions for many devotees.

Response Teams on High Alert as Authorities Issue Warnings

In response to these natural disasters, rescue and relief teams have been deployed across the affected areas. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), local police, and CRPF are on the ground, conducting rescue operations, clearing debris with machinery, and managing the flow of stranded pilgrims.

Officials from both regions have issued urgent advisories, urging all travelers and devotees to exercise extreme caution. An inspector with the SDRF noted, "The area has witnessed several rockfall incidents recently, so travellers must remain cautious." Authorities are advising everyone to stay updated on weather forecasts and avoid traveling through areas known to be at high risk for landslides. As the monsoon season continues, the situation in these mountainous regions remains critical.

Widespread Landslides Strike India Recently 

During late June and early July 2024, the intensified monsoon season has triggered a devastating series of landslides across multiple Indian states, causing fatal accidents and significant disruption. 

The fury also extended to Northeast India, where in recent days, incessant rainfall in Sikkim led to multiple landslides that cut off North Sikkim, stranding thousands of tourists. Meanwhile, in Western India, authorities have issued high alerts for landslide-prone districts in the Western Ghats, including Raigad and Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. 

These events have collectively resulted in tragic deaths, numerous injuries, and major infrastructural damage, prompting large-scale rescue operations.