Rishikesh-Badrinath highway closed after landslide, at least 1,000 stranded; rescue and relief operations on

The highway has been closed near Vishnuprayag, one of the five confluences of Alaknanda river, between Joshimath and Badrinath, the famous pilgrim spot in Uttarakhand.

Dehradun: Efforts were on to restore movement on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway on Saturday, a day after a landslide near Vishnuprayag blocked the route in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district.

The landslide has left hundreds of Char Dham Yatra pilgrims stranded.

The highway has been closed near Vishnuprayag, one of the five confluences of Alaknanda river, between Joshimath (also known as Jyotirmath) and Badrinath, the famous pilgrim spot in the hill state.

District Magistrate Ashish Joshi said that BRO (Border Roads Organisation) personnel are engaged in clearing the roads and it could be opened for the traffic by Saturday afternoon.

He also said efforts are on to provide all facilities to 1,000-1,500 pilgrims who are at Joshimath, Karnaprayag, Pipalkoti, Govindghat and Badrinath.

Notably, those stranded between Hathipahad and the Badrinath shrine have been given refuge in the Govindghat Gurudwara. Officials have made arrangements for food and lodging.

Hathipahad has become a major trouble spot for pilgrims going to the Badrinath shrine as rains in the hilly region trigger landslides every year.

Pilgrims who have reached the Badrinath shrine have been stopped there and asked not to take the return journey for the next 24 hours. 

(With Agency inputs)