The death toll in the landslide that occurred near Sonprayag area on Monday night increased to five people. The incident was triggered by heavy rains in the region, which led to debris falling onto the National Highway.

Rescue and relief operations are in full swing, with teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and local authorities on site. Rudraprayag’s Additional District Magistrate, Shyam Singh Rana, confirmed that the landslide led to the tragic deaths of five individuals, while three others were successfully rescued from the rubble.

“A landslide occurred on the National Highway near Sonprayag, claiming the lives of five passengers traveling through the area. The injured individuals have been rescued by the SDRF and are receiving medical care,” Rana stated. He urged residents and travelers to plan their journeys cautiously, considering the ongoing weather challenges.

In a coordinated effort, the Uttarakhand Police, alongside SDRF and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel, launched a search operation after receiving reports of travelers buried under debris.

Expressing his sorrow, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took to X (formerly Twitter) to offer his condolences.

“Very sad news was received that some passengers were buried under debris between Sonprayag-Munkatiya (Rudraprayag). The local administration, NDRF and SDRF teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations. I am also in touch with the concerned officials and monitoring the rescue operation. I pray to Baba Kedar for the safety of the travellers,” he wrote.

(ANI)