A big part of a hill came crashing down in a massive landslide in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand state, blocking National Highway-109 on Thursday.
The National Highway connects Rudraprayag to Kedarnath, one of the holiest Lord Shiva shrines in the country and frequented by thousands of travelers every year.
In chilling visuals making the rounds on social media, several vehicles are seen stranded on the highway when a big portion of a hill falls on the road.
In chilling visuals making the rounds on social media, several vehicles are seen stranded on the highway when a big portion of a hill falls on the road.
However, District Magistrate Mayur Dixit confirmed to news agency ANI that no casualties were reported in the incident as travelers were informed by locals about the possibility of a landslide in the region.
He further informed the media that work to remove debris and open the highway for commuters was in full swing, and passengers would only be allowed to move ahead with their journey when the district authorities deem the area safe for them.
"All the passengers have been stopped at safe places. The work of opening the highway is being done by National Highways. Once the debris is cleared, the safe vehicular movement of passengers will be done," Dixit said.
But this isn't the first time a landslide has been reported in Uttarakhand this month.
On September 10, a woman was killed when a rock fell on her house after heavy rains triggered flash floods in her village situated in the Pithoragarh district.
He further informed the media that work to remove debris and open the highway for commuters was in full swing, and passengers would only be allowed to move ahead with their journey when the district authorities deem the area safe for them.
"All the passengers have been stopped at safe places. The work of opening the highway is being done by National Highways. Once the debris is cleared, the safe vehicular movement of passengers will be done," Dixit said.
But this isn't the first time a landslide has been reported in Uttarakhand this month.
On September 10, a woman was killed when a rock fell on her house after heavy rains triggered flash floods in her village situated in the Pithoragarh district.