Tragic Landslide Accident Claims Lives of Pilgrims in Uttarakhand

Fatal Incident on Rudraprayag-Gaurikund Highway

Rudraprayag (Uttarakhand), May 31: A devastating accident occurred on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund highway, resulting in the deaths of two individuals, including the driver of a vehicle transporting pilgrims to Kedarnath. Four others sustained injuries due to a landslide, as reported by officials on Saturday.

The tragic event took place near Kakragad on Friday evening, roughly 30 kilometers from the Rudraprayag district headquarters, when a massive boulder fell from a hillside, hitting the vehicle en route to the Kedarnath temple.

All passengers in the vehicle hailed from Chhattisgarh.

As per the district administration, the vehicle was carrying six individuals, including the driver, at the time of the incident. The driver, identified as 38-year-old Rajesh Rawat, a resident of Nag Paniyala, Lambgaon, New Tehri, died instantly.

Another passenger, 24-year-old Shailendra Kumar, succumbed to his injuries while being transported to the hospital.

The injured passengers, 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 hospital, where they are currently receiving medical care.

District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Nandan Singh Rajwar confirmed the incident and stated that rescue teams, including police and District Disaster Response Force (DDRF) personnel, promptly arrived at the scene to initiate rescue operations.

This incident underscores the susceptibility of hilly roads in Uttarakhand to landslides, especially during the pilgrimage season when traffic to Kedarnath increases.

Authorities have urged travelers to exercise caution and stay informed about weather and road conditions provided by the administration.