Dehra Dun: The pilgrimage to the Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri was suspended after the roads leading to them were hit by fresh landslides following heavy rains on Monday, leaving hundreds of pilgrims
stranded.
Landslides struck the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway at several places including Govindghat, blocking vehicular traffic. The Rishikesh-Yamunotri National Highway has also been hit by landslides at Chhatanga area, official sources said here.
The yatra to Gangotri temple remained suspended for the second consecutive day as the landslides that hit the Rishikesh-Gangotri National Highway at Sainj in Uttarkashi district yesterday have not been cleared so far.
Fresh landslides have also hit the highway at Helkugad and Netala, the sources said.
PWD, BRO and police personnel are working round-the-clock to clear the debris and reopen the road for vehicular traffic. Meanwhile, administrative teams have been sent to the affected areas to take care of the stranded pilgrims, they said.
Meanwhile, light to moderate rains continued to lash most parts of Uttarakhand with Uttarkashi receiving the heaviest rainfall at 84 mm, followed by Bhatwari (72 mm) on way to Gangotri temple during the past 24 hours, Met Director
Anand Sharma said.
Chamoli recorded a rainfall of 58 mm, Purola 40 mm and Kausani 30 mm, he said.
The Met department has predicted light to moderate rains at many places in the state and heavy rains at isolated places in Uttarkashi and Chamoli districts during the next 24 hours.
PTI
First Published: Monday, August 08, 2011, 13:19