Rudraprayag, September 1(HS):

A devastating incident shook Rudraprayag district early Monday morning when a stone tumbled down from a hillside in the Munkatia landslide-prone zone and struck a Bolero vehicle ferrying pilgrims from Sonprayag to Gaurikund. The impact claimed the lives of two passengers and left six others injured. Eleven people were aboard the vehicle at the time.

Rescue teams, aided by local residents, swiftly rushed the injured to Sonprayag hospital where critical medical treatment is underway. The police confirmed that the accident occurred on the Kedarnath route between Sonprayag and Gaurikund, where the rocky terrain is susceptible to such landslides during the monsoon season.

Among the injured are Naveen Singh Rawat (35), Mamta (29), Pratibha (25), Mohit Chauhan, Rajeshwari (35), and the driver Pankaj (24), all residents of nearby districts. Naveen and Mamta are reported in serious condition and have been referred to a higher medical center.

The deceased have been identified as Rita (30) and Chandra Singh (50), both residents of Siyalab in the Badkot area of Uttarkashi. Authorities are investigating measures to prevent such incidents in this perilous zone as the region braces for further monsoon challenges.

This tragic event adds to the growing concern over landslide risks on pilgrimage routes in Uttarakhand, highlighting the urgent need for heightened vigilance and improved safety protocols.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar