Archive · 28 Sep 2026
About 1,500 Pilgrims Evacuated After Landslide on Kedarnath Route
A landslide blocked part of the route toward Kedarnath.
About 1,500 pilgrims became stuck near Chirbasa.
Chirbasa is about 3 kilometres from Gaurikund.
Falling rocks made the area dangerous to cross.
Rescue teams from SDRF, NDRF and DDRF helped the pilgrims.
The teams guided them safely past the blocked section and took them to Gaurikund.
Heavy rain affected the wider Char Dham pilgrimage.
One headline said 15,000 pilgrims, but the reports’ detailed accounts said about 1,500.
About 1,500 pilgrims stranded near Chirbasa were evacuated to Gaurikund.
A landslide deposited debris on the road near the Chirbasa helipad.
Continuous rockfalls made movement through the area extremely hazardous.
SDRF, NDRF and DDRF teams jointly guided pilgrims across the landslide zone.
Reports differ on pilgrimage access: the Char Dham Yatra was suspended, while one report said it resumed but the Chirbasa route remained closed.
- Who
- About 1,500 pilgrims and joint teams from the State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force and District Disaster Response Force.
- What
- The pilgrims were evacuated after a landslide blocked part of the Kedarnath trek route.
- When
- The pilgrims were stranded late Sunday night, and the evacuation was reported on Monday, September 28.
- Where
- The Chirbasa area near the Chirbasa helipad, about 3 kilometres from Gaurikund, in Uttarakhand.
- Why
- Landslide debris blocked the road and continuing rockfalls made travel hazardous; heavy rain also disrupted the Char Dham pilgrimage.
Officials’ Detailed Account
Headline and Access Reports
Number of evacuated pilgrims
Officials’ Detailed Account
The SDRF statement and the detailed article accounts said approximately 1,500 pilgrims were stranded and evacuated.
Headline and Access Reports
Two headlines referred to about 15,000 pilgrims, creating a discrepancy with the figure in the article bodies.
Status of the pilgrimage route
Officials’ Detailed Account
One report said the Char Dham Yatra remained suspended for the second consecutive day because of incessant heavy rain.
Headline and Access Reports
Another report said the Char Dham Yatra had resumed, but the Kedarnath trek route near Chirbasa remained closed.
- Pilgrims evacuated
- Approximately 1,500
- Location
- Chirbasa, about 3 kilometres from Gaurikund
- Incident
- Landslide debris and continuous rockfalls
- Rescue agencies
- State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force and District Disaster Response Force
- Destination
- Gaurikund
- Pilgrimage status
- Reports say the Char Dham Yatra was suspended for a second day; another report said it resumed while the Chirbasa route remained closed
- Reported discrepancy
- A headline cited 15,000 pilgrims, while officials and article bodies cited approximately 1,500
