Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Times of India
The Times of India
National
Gaurav Talwar | TNN

Uttarakhand: Falling boulders kill Rajasthan pilgrim in Sonprayag, 3 others injured

DEHRADUN: A 50-year-old pilgrim from Rajasthan was killed and three other devotees, hailing from Gujarat, Haryana and Nepal, were injured after they were hit by falling boulders in Sonprayag of Rudraprayag district on Thursday. A team of State Disaster Response Force rushed to the spot for relief and rescue operation, police in Sonprayag said.

This comes a day after a 62-year-old woman pilgrim from Maharashtra was killed and 10 others were injured as debris triggered by a landslide fell on their vehicle on the Kedarnath route, again near Sonprayag.

The victim of Thursday's incident has been identified as Jayanti Lal, a native of Banswara district in Rajasthan. He succumbed to grievous injuries on the spot, according to the district authorities. Three other pilgrims, identified as Mayuri, 20, resident of Ahmedabad; Awan Singh, 59, resident of Jhajjar, and Vikas, 24, native of Nepal, got injured in the incident. District disaster management officer NK Rajwar said, "The incident took place 500m ahead of Sonprayag when the pilgrims were returning from Kedarnath. All four were hit by boulders that fell from the hill following incessant showers." Significantly, hill districts of Uttarakhand, including Rudraprayag, have been recording heavy rainfall for the past 24 hours.

Meanwhile, heavy-to-very heavy rainfall has been recorded at several places in Uttarakhand since Wednesday night, resulting in recurring landslides and road blockages across the state, especially in the hilly areas, officials said on Thursday.

Following the intense rainy spell, the water level in the Kali river in Pithoragarh breached the warning mark of 889m with possibilities of further rise, according to the district emergency operation centre. "Alert was sounded following the rise in water level and people living along the river banks have been advised to move to higher areas," said a district management officer.

Incessant showers in Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts caused landslides and blocked Rishikesh-Kedarnath at Sirobadad and Badrinath-Gaurikund highway. The Gangotri National Highway was blocked due to boulders at Swarigad in Uttarkashi district.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.