Highway stretch washed away, 1,000 on Badri Yatra stranded

DEHRADUN: A 70-metre stretch of the Gauchar-Badrinath highway at Kameda was washed away due to overnight heavy rainfall on Monday, disrupting traffic movement. Approximately 1,000 individuals, mostly pilgrims to Badrinath shrine, are stuck at different locations. Authorities have immediately initiated efforts to repair and reopen the route. However, given the extensive damage, it is estimated that it may take around three-four days to open the route, an official said.

NK Joshi, disaster management officer of Chamoli, told TOI, “Due to the blockade, traffic movement is being diverted through the Karnaprayag-Pokhari-Rudraprayag-Srinagar route.” To assess the situation on the ground, Rudraprayag SP Vishakha Ashok Bhadane visited the spot at Kameda, situated on the Chamoli-Rudraprayag border.