Badrinath-Rishikesh Highway Opened; Earlier Closed Due To Heavy Rains; Two killed

Two individuals lost their lives, and six others suffered injuries as heavy rainfall wreaked havoc near Peepal Kothi in the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand along the Badrinath Highway. Additionally, seventeen people sustained injuries due to damage to buildings.

The road which was blocked near Sirobgadh on the border of Rudraprayag and Pauri has been opened for traffic. In coordination with the Rudraprayag Police, one-way traffic is being run alternately: Rudraprayag Police

A total of 29,030 devotees visited Baba Kedarnath from the time the doors opened till late evening yesterday. Rudraprayag Police confirms that this year’s Kedarnath Dham Yatra will continue for a full six months.

The closure of the Badrinath-Rishikesh highway near Sirobagadh has halted travel for passengers heading to Badrinath and Kedarnath, redirecting them to Srikot-Srinagar and Kaliyasod instead. Srinagar Kotwal Hoshiyar Singh Pankholi assured that measures are in place to minimize inconvenience for passengers. However, continuous debris falling in Sirobagadh has delayed the reopening of the road.

Uttarakhand police shared on social media platform X, “Due to continuous rain late at night, the national highway is blocked for traffic due to debris and stones falling from the hill near Sirobgadh situated on the border of Rudraprayag and Pauri districts. Its alternative route (via Chanti Khal) is also blocked.”

Further updates are awaited. The India Meteorological Department has forecasted thunderstorms with hail in Rudraprayag until Monday, along with rainfall in various parts of the state.