Overview
- Heavy monsoon rain triggered a landslide near the Chirbasa (Cheerbasa) helipad that blocked the Gaurikund–Kedarnath walking route and forced authorities to suspend the pilgrimage.
- The landslide produced falling boulders that killed a 65-year-old pilgrim, identified as Madan Mohan Tiwari of Ukhimath, when he was struck near the helipad.
- Rescue and engineering teams escorted and evacuated thousands of people in phased movements and had guided a cumulative total of 7,350 pilgrims to safety by Tuesday morning.
- Public Works Department crews, police, SDRF and district disaster teams cleared debris on a fast-tracked basis and Rudraprayag Police reopened the trail on September 15 while repair work continued.
- Chirbasa is a known chokepoint about 2.5 km above Gaurikund and officials warned that pilgrim movement will only restart after weather stabilizes and the administration completes safety checks.