The pilgrimage to Kedarnath and Badrinath remained disrupted due to damaged road links on Sunday though nearly 3,000 visitors either returned or were evacuated from Badrinath and Ghangharia by the authorities.The national highways to Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines in the Uttarkashi district remained open for small vehicles.
According to information provided by the State Emergency Operation Centre, the national highway 58 from Rishikesh to Badrinath has remained closed to traffic due to a stretch being washed away at Hanumanchatti-lambagad.The bridle path to lakshman temple-Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is also closed after the pedestrian bridge near Bhyundar was swept away by the waters of the lakshman Ganga. The route to Kedarnath has also remained closed after the bridge at Sonprayag was swept away.
According to the SEOC, about 2,100 visitors to Badrinath crossed the damaged stretch of the national highway on their way back on Sunday. Additionally, five helicopters put into service by the State Government, evacuated 750 visitors to the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara from Ghangaria to Govindghat. According to official sources, the district administration is looking after facilities like shelter and meals for any visitors stranded midway. The State Disaster Response Force is also providing assistance to the visitors.The Border Roads Organisation and Public Works Department along with other departments concerned are making efforts to clear the blockages and open the highways to traffic.