Adi Kailash Yatra: Rocks Cracked on Tanakpur-Tawaghat Highway, More Than 400 Passengers Stranded, Contact with China Border Lost
The pilgrims on Adi Kailash Yatra in Pithoragarh district are facing the brunt of the weather. The road has been completely closed due to heavy rocks sliding near Elagad on the Tanakpur-Tawaghat highway, due to which about 400 people including the passengers involved in Adi Kailash Yatra are stranded on the way. Also, the contact with the China border has also been completely cut off.
Road Closed Due to Landslide, Increased Trouble for Passengers
After heavy rains on Monday night, rocks suddenly cracked near Elagad. Due to this, heavy boulders and debris came at many places on the Tawaghat-Lipulekh route. The road was blocked and the passengers got stuck on the way. The administration is arranging vehicles to bring the pilgrims on Adi Kailash Yatra to Dharchula.
Boulder Fell on SSB Post, One Soldier Injured
During this landslide, a big boulder fell on the Border Out Post (BOP) of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), injuring a soldier Mahajan Mohan Ravindra. He was immediately admitted to Dharchula Hospital. SSB DIG Sudhanshu Nautiyal himself reached the hospital and took stock of the condition of the soldier.
30 Thousand Population Affected, Many Villages Cut Off
Due to the closure of the road, the area from Elagad to Lipulekh and Sipu has become completely isolated. Due to this, a population of more than 30,000 people and more than 60 villages have lost contact. Travelers returning from Adi Kailash, Om Parvat Darshan and Panchachuli Glacier Trekking are stranded along the way with their vehicles.
BRO is Trying to Remove the Debris
The Border Roads Organization (BRO) has started the work of removing debris and clearing the road with the help of heavy machines since Tuesday morning. But due to heavy rocks, there is a delay in opening the road. SDM Manjit Singh has instructed BRO to open the road as soon as possible.
Administration is Doing Relief Work, Appeal to the Passengers to be Patient
Dharchula Kotwali in-charge Vijendra Sah reached the spot with the police team and with the help of SSB, shifted the passengers stranded in the landslide affected area to safe places. Police and Revenue Department are in constant touch with the passengers. They have been advised to stay at safe places.
There May Be a Delay in Opening the Road
If the debris is not cleared by Tuesday night, then the passengers may have to wait till Wednesday morning. The administration says that as soon as the road is cleared, all the devotees going on Adi Kailash Yatra will be sent to safe places.