In Uttarakhand, amid incessant rains and floods, mountains are collapsing. The Badrinath National Highway near Chamoli-Joshimath has been closed for over three days. Continuous landslides are making roadwork there exceedingly challenging. Thousands of passengers from all corners of the country are stranded in Joshimath, awaiting the highway's reopening. Meanwhile, about a thousand vehicles are also caught up in this location. Everyone is eagerly hoping for the moment when the path clears, and they can proceed home.
SDRF and NDRF Become Angels of Mercy
Source: aajtak
Pedestrian travelers find angels in the SDRF and NDRF. Both forces have initiated foot transit in the evening through the Badrinath route. People embarking on their journey with small children and elderly parents are receiving assistance from SDRF and NDRF to safely cross this path, as it's unpredictable when the steep incline might give way.
Source: aajtak
Children are being carried on the shoulders of SDRF-NDRF personnel, while the elderly pilgrims are being helped across challenging stretches. Those with heavier loads are also receiving aid; SDRF and NDRF are visibly ready to assist at a moment's notice.
Dangers of Falling Mountains and Breakaway Rocks
Monsoon travel in the mountains is fraught with danger. Just three days prior, a mild landslide followed by the collapse of the entire mountainside occurred near Joshimath on the Badrinath highway, ceasing all traffic to Badrinath Dham and Hemkund Sahib. Consequently, visitors have been stuck in place ever since.
Continued Efforts to Reopen the Roadway
Source: aajtak
The reopening of the road is uncertain as the mountainside remains unstable. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is sweating out the continuous efforts to clear the path. As soon as they attempt to make it accessible, another landslide occurs, and the progress is lost. Stranded individuals are subsisting on food from langars (community kitchens) set up by the Indian Army and praising their support, although there's a hint of disappointment due to the lack of information and communication from the administration.>
People Forced to Spend Nights on the Road for Three Days
During this period, there was also an election for the Badrinath legislative assembly. Election workers, too, risked their lives crossing this treacherous path. The closure of the Badrinath National Highway and the lack of timely information and proper arrangements have caused significant distress to pilgrims. Some have run out of money, while others are uninformed by the administration. While some manage to stay in hotels, there are those compelled to spend nights on the road for the past three days.
