Massive avalanche strikes Gandhi Sarovar near Kedarnath
An avalanche struck Gandhi Sarovar in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, on Sunday, 30 June. There have been no reports of casualties or property damage so far.
A massive avalanche struck the mountains behind the revered Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district on Sunday morning PTI reported, triggering concerns for the safety of thousands of Hindu pilgrims currently undertaking the Char Dham yatra. The avalanche, which was captured on video by the eyewitnesses, occurred around 5.30 am near the Gandhi Sarovar , located approximately 4 kilometres above the Kedarnath shrine. Footage shows a huge mass of snow and debris rushing down the mountain slopes.
“There was an avalanche from above Gandhi Sarovar in Kedarnath at around 5 am today. There was no loss of life or property,” Rudraprayag senior superintendent of police (SSP) Dr Vishakha Ashok Bhadane told ANI.
Fortunately, no casualties or damage to property have been reported so far. The holy shrine of Kedarnath in Uttarakhand has witnessed an unprecedented influx of devotees this year, with over 6 lakh pilgrims visiting the temple since its doors opened on May 10, as stated by the Uttarakhand government earlier this month.
The temple, situated at an elevation of 3,500 metres in the lap of the majestic Himalayas, has been decked up with flowers and holy leaves to welcome the surging crowds of pilgrims. The Char Dham yatra, which includes the pilgrimage to sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, is undertaken despite the harsh climatic conditions of the region with temperatures ranging from 0 to 3 degrees Celsius during the day and dropping below at night, continues unabated.
What is an avalanche?
Avalanches typically occur in mountainous regions with steep slopes and accumulations of snow, such as the Himalayas. They can move at speeds of up to 320 kilometres per hour and exert tremendous force. It can range in size from a small slide of loose snow to a massive flow of snow, ice, rocks, and other debris that can cause significant damage and loss of life.
Thanks God no casualty