Kedarnath Yatra Halted From Sonprayag After Landslide Near Jangalchatti Kills 1, Injures 2
A landslide triggered by heavy rain near Jangalchatti on the Kedarnath footpath killed one and injured two, suspending the Kedarnath Yatra from Sonprayag. Debris blocked the route, stranding pilgrims.
A fatal landslide triggered by incessant rainfall struck the Kedarnath footpath near Jangalchatti in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, leaving one dead and two others injured. Following the incident, authorities have suspended the Kedarnath Yatra from Sonprayag until further notice, according to a statement issued by the Rudraprayag Police.
The continuous downpour led to massive debris and stones tumbling down onto the trekking route, resulting in severe damage and blockages along the path leading to Kedarnath Dham, news agency ANI reported. The site, which witnesses a heavy influx of pilgrims during the Char Dham Yatra season, was left inaccessible due to the hazardous conditions.
#WATCH | Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand: The path leading to Shri Baba Kedarnath Dham was damaged due to debris and stone falling in the ravine near Jangalchatti.
— ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2025
The path from Sonprayag to Kedarnath Dham has been suspended till further orders. Effective security is being ensured for… pic.twitter.com/KWheVBk521
Citing safety concerns amid adverse weather, officials have advised devotees already en route to the shrine to remain at nearby hotels or safe shelters. The Rudraprayag Police stated, “The footpath was blocked due to debris falling in the ravine near Jangalchatti. The footpath to Kedarnath Dham has been suspended from Sonprayag till further orders.”
The police also confirmed casualties from the landslide, saying, “According to the information received so far, one person has died and 02 people have been injured due to debris falling in the ravine.”
Yellow Alert In Kedarnath For A Week
A yellow alert for the region has been announced, forecasting persistent rain throughout the week. In light of this, the district authorities have taken precautionary measures, especially in landslide-prone zones along the route.
The Rudraprayag Police noted, “According to the weather forecast, a yellow alert for rain has been issued for the entire week. In which it is raining continuously. Due to the obstruction of the road in Jangalchatti and many places on the entire footpath which are landslide-affected areas, as a precaution and in view of the safety of the devotees, the footpath to Kedarnath Dham has been suspended from Sonprayag till further orders.”
They added that pilgrims stranded in affected areas, especially Jangalchatti, are being escorted to safety under police supervision. “The district police appeals to the pilgrims coming to Shri Kedarnath Dham to stay safe wherever they are and stay in hotels, etc., at nearby places,” the statement further read, as per ANI.
The 2025 edition of the Char Dham Yatra commenced on 30 April, marking the opening of the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines on the auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya. The doors of Kedarnath Dham were opened on 2 May, followed by Badrinath on 4 May.
Kedarnath, one of India’s holiest temples dedicated to Lord Shiva, sees thousands of pilgrims each year. Located in the Himalayas, the temple typically opens during the summer months (April–May) and remains closed during winter (October–November) due to extreme weather.
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