A cloudburst late on Friday triggered a major landslide along the Kedarnath pilgrimage route in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, prompting authorities to close the trail temporarily. Large boulders and debris rained down after the sudden deluge, burying stretches of the footpath that thousands of yearly pilgrims traverse to reach the sacred shrine. No casualties have been reported so far, but the closure has raised concerns among devotees who had planned weekend visits.
Meanwhile, relentless monsoon rains across Uttar Pradesh have pushed more than ten rivers, including the Ganga and Yamuna, well beyond danger mark. Twenty-six districts remain under floodwaters, with over four lakh people affected. In Mirzapur, a key bridge connecting two sides of a river town went under water, severing an important link for residents and commuters. In Farrukhabad, sections of a major highway were submerged, bringing vehicular movement to a standstill on several stretches.
In neighbouring Madhya Pradesh, the monsoon regained momentum after a brief three-day lull. The India Meteorological Department issued heavy rain alerts for twelve districts on Friday, warning of possible waterlogging and isolated landslides in hilly areas. Farmers and local administrators scrambled to clear drainage channels and reinforce embankments ahead of the expected downpour.
The Uttarakhand government has deployed National Disaster Response Force teams near Kedarnath to assess damage and clear debris. Tourist operators said permits for the trek would remain suspended until the trail is declared safe. Hydrological stations along the Mandakini river have recorded rising water levels, though authorities say there is no immediate threat of a disaster like the 2013 catastrophic flash flood that killed thousands in the region.
