In a devastating turn of events, a landslide near Gaurikund on the Kedarnath yatra route has left four people dead and a dozen others missing.
The incident occurred late last night, triggered by heavy rainfall that led to a flash flood in the area.
The catastrophe has forced authorities to halt the Kedarnath pilgrimage trek and initiate evacuations for the safety of those trekking to and from the shrine.
The heart-wrenching incident unfolded around midnight when three shops were swept away in the merciless current of a flash flood caused by the heavy rain.
Gaurikund, located roughly 16 kilometres away from the revered Kedarnath shrine, bore the brunt of this natural disaster.
Debris from the shattered shops and hotels cascaded into the raging Mandakini River, adding to the chaos and devastation.
Authorities also believe that the victims of this tragedy were either washed away by the sudden deluge or buried under the debris.
Rescue operations continue, and the grim reality is beginning to unfold. The Rudraprayag District Magistrate, Saurabh Gaharwar, confirmed the recovery of four bodies .
the search for the missing individuals is Still ongoing.
19 people were unaccounted for the disaster that took place according to the intial report.
Responding swiftly to the crisis, Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami visited the disaster control room at the state secretariat.
In the meeting, the urgency of accelerating the rescue efforts and advocating for timely alerts to be issued in flood-prone areas was stressed upon.
The safety of those residing in landslide-endangered regions was also discussed, with evacuation measures being actively being pursued.
The administration has released the names of the victims who have lost their lives or are still missing.
Among those affected, reports indicate the tragic inclusion of a Nepali family of palanquin operators.
Their absence highlights the indiscriminate nature of such calamities, affecting individuals from various walks of life.
This unfortunate incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable power of nature .
The rescue teams persist in their efforts, the nation mourns the lives lost . Awaiting news of those still missing in the wake of this devastating landslide.
