UTTARKASHI: Several individuals are feared trapped under rubble after a landslide struck vehicles on Gangotri National Highway near NH 108 in Uttarakhand on Friday. According to reports,  the incident occurred earlier in the day near Dabrani on the Char Dham Yatra route when large rocks fell from the hill slopes, striking multiple cars and other vehicles.

Uttarakhand Police took to the microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) in Hindi to announce their response to the incident. They stated that upon receiving information, state police, SDRF (State Disaster Response Force), and NDRF (National Disaster Response Force) teams rushed to the spot to conduct a rescue operation. As a precautionary measure, all vehicles have been halted, and they will only resume travel once the route is deemed safe.

This tragic event highlights the dangers posed by natural calamities in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand, especially along pilgrimage routes like Char Dham Yatra.

The landslide has disrupted traffic on a significant route for pilgrimage and tourism, underscoring the vulnerability of the region to natural disasters. Gangotri National Highway is crucial for travel to Gangotri, a major Hindu pilgrimage site in Uttarakhand. The incident has prompted a swift response from emergency services, highlighting the coordinated efforts of state and national disaster response teams in such emergencies. Authorities continue to work diligently to clear the road and ensure the safety of those affected.