A 70 m stretch of the Gauchar-Badrinath highway at Kameda was washed away due to overnight heavy rainfall on Monday, disrupting traffic movement. Approximately 1,000 individuals, mostly pilgrims to Badrinath shrine, are stuck at different locations.
Authorities have immediately initiated efforts to repair and reopen the route. However, given the extensive damage, it is estimated that it may take around three-four days to open the route, an official said.
NK Joshi, disaster management officer of Chamoli, told , “Due to the blockade, traffic movement is being diverted through the Karnaprayag-Pokhari-Rudraprayag-Srinagar route.”
To assess the situation on the ground, Rudraprayag superintendent of police (SP) Vishakha Ashok Bhadane, along with other senior district authorities, visited the spot at Kameda, situated on the Chamoli-Rudraprayag border. “As a precautionary measure, traffic movement on this stretch has been halted and pilgrims have been redirected through Rudraprayag. The repair work is underway, and we expect it to take three-four days to reopen the highway,” said the SP.
Meanwhile, the Yamunotri national highway also remained blocked for the third consecutive day on Monday. Ongoing heavy rains have led to the continuous falling of boulders at several locations.