SDRF rescues 200 stranded people in Kedarnath
Thursday, 08 August 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The departments and agencies concerned have started the ardours task of reopening the blocked roads and bridle path leading to Kedarnath in Rudraprayag district to restart the Kedarnath Dham Yatra. The movement on the pathway from Kedarnath to Chhoti Lincholi was also resumed on Wednesday. The bridle path to Kedarnath Dham, which was damaged in several places, is also being repaired swiftly despite challenging conditions, as per the officials. The executive engineer from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) Nirbhay Singh informed that work has begun to clear the completely damaged 1.5 metre stretch of the national highway between Sonprayag and Gaurikund using a earth remover machine. Besides this, the damaged road near the Sonprayag bridge is also undergoing repair and reinforcement. The executive engineer of District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) Vinay Jhinkwan informed that multiple sections of the Kedarnath bridle path have been severely damaged, with approximately15 spots where the path is completely blocked. He stated that despite difficult conditions, labourers are persistently working on repairing and reconstructing the path. The pathway from Kedarnath Dham to Chhoti Lincholi is now functional for movement. However, he also added that adverse weather conditions pose significant challenges, affecting the safety of the workers and the continuity of the work.
Meanwhile, the authorities halted the traffic on the Kund Bridge on Rudraprayag Kedarnath National Highway for both light and heavy vehicles due to erosion at the abutment considering safety concerns. The officials informed that the heavy vehicles are being sent via an alternative route from Kund-Chunni Band to Kalimath Gate-Guptkashi. Moreover, the temporary pedestrian bridge constructed by the Army near the Sonprayag Shuttle also got washed away on Tuesday night due to heavy rainfall. Besides this, the Sonprayag-Gaurikund Kedarnath bridle path also got blocked at Linchauli due to a landslide. The authorities have been working on reconstruction of the damaged bridges and paths, as per the officials. Moreover, the teams of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) continued its rescue and search operations on the Kedarnath Dham bridle path on Wednesday as well. A team led by sub-inspector Ashish Dimri safely rescued 150 locals and pilgrims stranded in Gaurikund via An alternate path. Another team led by constable Ramnaresh also rescued a group of 60 locals and pilgrims from Lincholi. The officials said that these concerted efforts aim to ensure the timely reopening of the Kedarnath Dham Yatra route, allowing pilgrims to resume their journey safely and securely.
