Landslides Claim Lives on Char Dham Yatra Routes in Uttarakhand

Dehradun, June 24, 2025: Heavy rainfall triggered devastating landslides along the Yamunotri and Badrinath routes of the Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, resulting in the deaths of three pilgrims and injuries to three others, according to officials cited by PTI. The incidents, which occurred on Monday, disrupted the annual pilgrimage, highlighting the dangers posed by the region’s unpredictable weather and terrain.

On the Yamunotri route, a landslide struck near Bhairav Temple at around 4 p.m., approximately 1.5 kilometers from the shrine. Massive boulders crashed onto the pedestrian path, damaging railings and trapping several pilgrims. Two pilgrims, including a 12-year-old girl from Delhi named Bhavika, lost their lives, while another remains missing. Rasik, a pilgrim from Mumbai, was rescued from the debris with injuries and is receiving treatment at the primary health center in Jankichatti, where his condition is reported as stable. Rescue teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police, responded swiftly, with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) joining efforts later that evening. Search operations continue for the missing pilgrim.

In a separate incident on the Badrinath highway in Chamoli district, a woman was killed when a falling boulder struck her car near the Patalganga tunnel on Monday morning. The impact also injured two others, including a child. The heavy rainfall that caused both landslides has led to heightened safety concerns for pilgrims traveling through the high-altitude Himalayan routes.

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Authorities have urged travelers to remain cautious and monitor real-time updates from Chamoli Police, as the Badrinath National Highway near Pipalkoti was blocked again on June 23 due to fresh landslide debris. Despite the closure of this segment, the Char Dham Yatra routes in the district remain open for traffic, with officials emphasizing the need for vigilance amid ongoing weather challenges.

The Char Dham Yatra, a revered Hindu pilgrimage to the shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, attracts thousands of devotees annually. However, the region’s rugged terrain and susceptibility to natural disasters continue to pose significant risks, as evidenced by these tragic events.