Landslide on Kedarnath Yatra route, thousands of pilgrims evacuated

May 20, 2026

During the Kedarnath Yatra on Tuesday night, heavy rains caused landslides at three locations on the Sonprayag-Gaurikund walking route. The debris forced the pilgrimage to be temporarily halted.

Rescue operation continued throughout the night

District administration, police, and relief teams rushed to the scene immediately. Despite inclement weather and difficult conditions, thousands of pilgrims were evacuated to safety. The administration continued the rescue and relief operation throughout the night.

Footpath reopened in 30 minutes

Administrative teams worked swiftly and reopened the path for pilgrims within 30 minutes. The rescue effort continued uninterrupted.

Pilgrimage resumes after debris is cleared

On Wednesday morning, the debris on the route was cleared using JCB machines. The Kedarnath Yatra route was subsequently reopened.