Landslides stall four pilgrimages

Pilgrimages to the shrines of Gangotri, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Kedarnath in Uttaranchal were suspended on Monday following massive landslides, official sources said.

Landslides at Dabrani and Nalupani areas cut off Gangotri in Uttarkashi district from the rest of the country, stranding nearly 300 pilgrims in the middle of nowhere.

Sources said more landslides have been reported and there is a fear now that the flow of the Bhagirathi river may get disrupted.

Pilgrimage to Badrinath was stopped after landslides blocked the Joshimath-Badrinath

highway at Baldara.

The Border Road Organisation personnel were working round-the-clock to clear the highway.

Heavy landslides at Hasnol and Devaldhar in Rudraprayag district have disrupted the pilgrimage to Yamunotri and Kedarnath shrine respectively.

The state government has asked district administrations of make arrangements for the stranded pilgrims.

Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police G S Martolia said a red alert has been sounded in the area.