A tragic incident occurred near Sonprayag, the base camp for the Kedarnath pilgrimage, on Friday morning when a boulder rolled down a hillside and struck temporary shops, resulting in one fatality and one injury.
Details of the Incident
Rudraprayag disaster management officer Nanda Singh Rajwar reported that the victims were laborers Ummed Singh Negi, 48, a resident of Bareth village, and Bam Bahadur, 42, a native of Nepal. Both were trapped under the boulder and rushed to a nearby hospital. Negi succumbed to his injuries, while Bahadur is currently undergoing treatment.
In response, district authorities have closed approximately six temporary shops near the site of the boulder fall. Rajwar stated that these unauthorized establishments were selling prasad, raincoats, and other items related to the yatra.
Recent Landslide on Kedarnath Route
This incident follows a recent landslide near Munkatiya on the Sonprayag-Gaurikund highway, which stranded over 10,000 pilgrims on the Kedarnath route. Fortunately, all stranded pilgrims were later evacuated, and no injuries were reported in that event.
The recurring natural calamities highlight the challenges faced by pilgrims and authorities during the yatra season. Efforts are ongoing to ensure safety and prevent such incidents in the future.
