# Landslide strands pilgrims, Kedarnath yatra halted

2026-09-27T16:56:52+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

A landslide at Sirobagad near the Dhari Devi temple in Uttarakhand has blocked the Badrinath National Highway, leaving around 4,000 pilgrims stranded, the New Indian Express reports. Heavy rain continues, and the administration has halted the Kedarnath pilgrimage until further orders. National Highways Department machines are clearing debris, but fresh rockfall is slowing work. The Times of India reports a separate landslide near Chirbasa in Rudraprayag stranded about 1,500 pilgrims late Sunday night. Joint teams from the SDRF, NDRF and DDRF safely evacuated them to Gaurikund despite continuing rockfall. The weather department has issued a red alert for heavy rain in four districts, and water levels in the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers are rising.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The New Indian Express leads with the ongoing danger (fresh debris, 4,000 stranded, no timeline) and flags the stretch's repetitive failures over three decades, whereas the Times of India frames the incident as a completed rescue (1,500 evacuated overnight). The former invites scrutiny of preparation, the latter foregrounds the success of official response. Neither source contradicts the other on facts, but their choices of emphasis produce divergent impressions. The official narrative will face its next test when the next spell of rain hits Sirobagad again.

## Coverage

- newindianexpress.com (government critical) <https://www.newindianexpress.com/india/2026/Sep/27/landslide-blocks-badrinath-highway-kedarnath-yatra-halted-as-heavy-rain-batters-uttarakhand>
  Leads with ongoing danger and 4,000 stranded, omits mention of rescue completion
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (pro government) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/watch-landslide-blocks-kedarnath-route-in-rudraprayags-chirbasa-over-1200-pilgrims-evacuated/articleshow/134531624.cms>
  Leads with safe rescue of 1,500 pilgrims, omits broader closure and historical context

Tags: Badrinath Highway, Indian Meteorological Department, Kedarnath, Nandan Singh Rajwar, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
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Cite: https://indianopinion.org/landslide-on-badrinath-highway-strands-4000-kedarnath-yatra-halted/#story-in-brief