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SDRF rescues 1,500 stranded pilgrims on Kedarnath trek

By Drooid · Sep 28, 2026, 10:12 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

SDRF Rescues Pilgrims

State Disaster Response Force rescued about 1,500 pilgrims stranded on the Kedarnath trek route.
National and District Disaster Response Forces joined the rescue effort.
Sub-Inspector Ashish Dimri led the SDRF team that reached the Chirbasa site.
Pilgrims were guided across a landslide zone about 3 km from Gaurikund.
Char Dham Yatra remained suspended for a second day because of heavy rain.

Summary

Uttarakhand Reopens Highway

The Tanakpur-Pithoragarh highway reopened after a 43-hour closure, easing travel for hundreds of stranded passengers.
Over 80 roads in Uttarakhand were blocked on Sunday, including 15 closures each in Nainital and Pithoragarh.
Officials asked the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority to keep extra helicopters ready, each with a satellite phone.
District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said National Highways Department machines are clearing debris, but fresh slides slow progress.

History

Historical Context

In June 2013, unprecedented monsoon rains triggered floods and landslides in Uttarakhand, killing over 5,700 people and prompting the Indian Army, NDRF and ITBP to evacuate more than 110,000 residents, including 18,424 by air in 2,137 sorties. The disaster’s scale led state and central governments to strengthen rescue capacity, and today Sub-Inspector Ashish Dimri’s SDRF team continues to free pilgrims near Gaurikund.

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SDRF Rescues Pilgrims

State Disaster Response Force rescued about 1,500 pilgrims stranded on the Kedarnath trek route.
National and District Disaster Response Forces joined the rescue effort.
Sub-Inspector Ashish Dimri led the SDRF team that reached the Chirbasa site.
Pilgrims were guided across a landslide zone about 3 km from Gaurikund.
Char Dham Yatra remained suspended for a second day because of heavy rain.

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