Dehradun:- The pilgrims stranded due to landslides on the Adi Kailash pilgrimage route near Tawaghat have been safely rescued. Under the directives of Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, local administration, NDRF, SSB, Uttarakhand Police, and Chipsum Aviation Company launched a large-scale rescue operation, using helicopters to transport the pilgrims to safer locations. The pilgrims staying at Narayan Ashram are also set to be rescued by helicopter soon. The Chief Minister personally monitored the entire operation and commended the coordinated efforts of various agencies. He reiterated that the safety of the pilgrims is the government’s top priority and assured that the state is committed to ensuring a safe environment for domestic and international travelers.
Landslides Block Pilgrimage Route, Swift Rescue Operation
On September 13, heavy rains caused landslides at Chaitaldhar and other locations near Tawaghat, leading to the blockage of the Adi Kailash pilgrimage route. As a result, a large group of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Delhi became stranded at different locations. A group of pilgrims from Punjab and Delhi was stuck at Khela, while 30 pilgrims from Tamil Nadu were stranded at Budhi. As soon as Chief Minister Dhami received the information about the stranded pilgrims, he directed the Disaster Management Secretary to launch an urgent rescue operation and utilize helicopter services to evacuate the pilgrims. On Sunday, 10 pilgrims were safely transported by helicopter from Khela to the army helipad in Dharchula, though one pilgrim, Swadesh Nand Chehal, sadly passed away due to health issues.
Focus on Route Restoration and Further Efforts
Following the successful conclusion of the rescue operation, the administration is now focused on restoring the pilgrimage route. Local authorities have informed that the route will be cleared within the next two to three days. The BRO teams are working round the clock to remove the debris caused by landslides at Chaitaldhar. The Chief Minister has also issued strict instructions to promptly reopen other blocked routes across the state, emphasizing that no negligence will be tolerated when it comes to ensuring the safety of travelers. In the last 24 hours, nearly 60 blocked routes have been reopened, with efforts underway to clear the remaining roads. Meanwhile, Disaster Management Secretary Shri Vinod Kumar Suman has been continuously monitoring the rescue operation and has called for a meeting with officials on Monday to discuss the restoration of blocked routes, their expected reopening dates, and other important aspects of the ongoing efforts.
