Over 350 pilgrims stopped as landslide blocks Adi Kailash route in Uttarakhand
Adi Kailash Pilgrimage Halted After Landslide Blocks Key Uttarakhand Road
Bharatmorningnews.com – More than 350 pilgrims travelling towards Adi Kailash were held at the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam base camp in Dharchula on Friday after a major landslide cut off the road further along the route. The slide occurred during the previous night at Mangti nullah, blocking the approach towards Gunji in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district.
The interruption came soon after road access had improved on another difficult part of the pilgrimage corridor. The Border Roads Organisation had cleared accumulated snow between Kuti and Jolingkong two days earlier, enabling vehicles to move closer to the Adi Kailash temple.
Dhan Singh Bisht, who oversees the KMVN base camp at Dharchula, said the renewed landslide abruptly changed the situation for travellers waiting to continue their journey.
“However, the fresh landslide last night suddenly disrupted the pilgrimage,” Bisht said.
Snow and road conditions remain a challenge
Access to Adi Kailash has remained dependent on changing mountain weather and the condition of roads in the high-altitude region. Until two days before Friday’s disruption, some pilgrim groups had managed to view the sacred peak from the Jolingkong area. Their travel, however, was limited by deep snow covering an eight-kilometre portion of the route.
Adi Kailash is a revered Himalayan destination, and the final stretches of the journey pass through remote terrain where snow, rain and landslides can quickly affect movement. The route through Dharchula and towards Gunji serves as an important gateway for those making the pilgrimage.
Despite the current stoppage, enthusiasm among pilgrims has remained high, Bisht said. The process for issuing inner-line permits has also resumed, allowing prospective visitors to complete an important travel requirement while conditions are assessed on the road ahead.
Dry spell expected before rain returns
Weather conditions across Uttarakhand were largely dry in the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 am on Friday. Twelve of the state’s 13 districts recorded no rainfall during that period. Bageshwar received 0.8 mm of rain, only slightly above its normal level of 0.7 mm.
The India Meteorological Department’s Dehradun office indicated that the southwest monsoon was likely to withdraw from Uttarakhand within 24 hours as conditions became favourable for its retreat. Seasonal rainfall has already begun withdrawing across parts of northwest India.
Dry weather is expected to continue across much of the state through the weekend. Morning fog may occur in isolated areas of the plains, while hill districts are likely to remain mostly dry for the immediate period.
Rain activity is forecast to return on Monday, with isolated light showers, thunderstorms and lightning possible in the hills. From Tuesday, several places may receive light to moderate rain. Wednesday could bring more widespread rainfall, including heavy showers in some locations, before weather activity is expected to gradually ease on Thursday.
Waiting pilgrims face an uncertain road reopening
The landslide at Mangti nullah highlights how rapidly travel plans can change in Uttarakhand’s mountainous border districts. Even after snow removal opens a section for vehicles, a fresh slide can halt movement elsewhere along the same route. For pilgrims currently at Dharchula, the next stage of the journey will depend on road clearance and safe travel conditions.
Authorities and road-maintenance teams have an especially important task in such terrain, where blocked routes can affect not only religious travel but also access between remote settlements. Pilgrims planning to proceed towards Adi Kailash will need to remain prepared for weather-linked delays as the season shifts and rain activity is forecast to return next week.
Related Reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Over 350 pilgrims stopped as landslide?
Over 350 pilgrims stopped as landslide is the main topic of this guide. The article explains the context, practical details, and next steps readers should understand.
Why does Over 350 pilgrims stopped as landslide matter?
Over 350 pilgrims stopped as landslide matters because readers are looking for a useful answer, not just a short summary. Good content should match search intent and help them decide what to do next.