Heading: Damaged Pathway Disrupts Kedarnath Dham Pilgrimage in Uttarakhand
Kedarnath Dham Journey Suspended Due to Rockfalls and Debris
Listen up, mate! The staggered journey from Sonprayag to Kedarnath Dham got put on hold here in Uttarakhand. The reason being, loose rocks and debris cascading into the ravine near Jangalchatti, as reported by Rudraprayag Police on Sunday.
Now, they're begging all visitors heading to Shri Kedarnath Dham to prioritize safety. The Rudraprayag Policeté loud and clear: "When debris and stones fell into the ravine near Jangalchatti, the trail became obstructed, postponing the pilgrimage from Sonprayag to Kedarnath Dham until further notice."
What's more, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, sounded an alarm after a helicopter incident. Seven unfortunate souls, plus the pilot, perished in a helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district. Dhami shared his concerns with ANI, questioning, "Nature dealt us a bad hand this morning, as a helicopter plummeted due to stormy weather. May the heavens grant peace to those we have lost."
The Chief Minister promptly ordered emergency meetings to be held and mandated adherence to the rules of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. "We're cracking down hard on those who've disregarded safety norms. Aviation companies must employ seasoned pilots with deep experience in the Upper Himalayan ranges and enforce stringent compliance with DGCA rules," he warned.
So, for the next couple of days, those chopper rides will be grounded until things get back to normal.
Way back this morning, the chopper that plummeted near Gaurikund, Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, hailed from Aryan Aviation. It was en route to Guptkashi from Kedarnath Dham when the catastrophic accident occurred. Crushed by the collision were Captain Rajbir Singh Chauhan (39), a Jaipur resident; Vikram Rawat (47), a native of Rasi and Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee rep; Vinod Devi (66), a Uttar Pradesh resident; Trishti Singh (19), another Uttar Pradesh native; Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal (41), a resident of Gujarat; Shraddha Rajkumar Jaiswal; and a two-year-old girl from Maharashtra named Kashi.
Rescue teams didn't hesitate to leap into action under the direction of SDRF Commander Arpan Yadav, despite challenging weather conditions and an inaccessible, thick forest area. The perseverant response teams pulled out all the stops to retrieve the bodies entrapped within the wreckage.
Fun fact, Uttarakhand isn't usually this tumultuous. Travellers are recommended to keep an eye on official sources for further guidance on pilgrimage options or updates on the journey to Kedarnath Dham.
Sources:[1] The Hindu, Uttarakhand: Pilgrimage from Sonprayag to Kedarnath Dham postponed[2] Times Now, Flight from Sonprayag to Kedarnath Dham postponed as debris and rocks create havoc in ravine near Jangalchatti[4] Ommcomnews, Kedarnath Dham Yatra postponed in Uttarakhand after debris and rocks create havoc in ravine near Jangalchatti[4.1] India Today, Helicopter crashes in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district
Despite the disrupted pilgrimage to Shri Kedarnath Dham due to a damaged pathway, it's crucial for visitors to also stay updated on general news, including weather reports or potential political changes in Uttarakhand. Additionally, it is advisable to keep an eye on crime-and-justice updates after the helicopter crash in Rudraprayag district, as investigations into the accident are ongoing.
