Kedarnath trekking route reopens after fatal Chirbasa landslide, India

Police said pilgrims returning from Kedarnath were escorted across the cleared stretch toward Gaurikund under security supervision. Following the reopening, pilgrims waiting at Sonprayag were also allowed to proceed toward Kedarnath. The announcement credited police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel and workers with clearing the obstruction.

The route was damaged on September 13 when a landslide sent boulders, stones and debris onto the path near the Chirbasa helipad, approximately 2.5 km (1.6 miles) from Gaurikund along the trekking route. A local resident died after being struck by a boulder during the landslide on September 14.

During the initial closure, pilgrims heading toward Kedarnath were stopped at Sonprayag and Gaurikund, while returning pilgrims were held at Jungle Chatti. Rudraprayag Police said continuing rain and falling stones made it unsafe to clear the affected section.

दिनांक 13 सितम्बर 2026, समय 17:05 बजे

श्री केदारनाथ धाम पैदल मार्ग चीरवासा के समीप पूर्ण रूप से बाधित है। यह स्थान गौरीकुण्ड से लगभग 2.5 किमी ऊपर स्थित है।

पहाड़ी से रुक-रुककर पत्थर गिरने के कारण मार्ग खोलने में कठिनाई आ रही है। यात्रियों की सुरक्षा को देखते हुए कृपया… pic.twitter.com/5f4wczU7LS

— Rudraprayag Police Uttarakhand (@RudraprayagPol) September 13, 2026

केदारनाथ धाम यात्रा : यात्रियों के लिए महत्वपूर्ण सूचना एवं अपील।

श्री केदारनाथ पैदल मार्ग पर चीरबासा हैलीपैड के समीप मलबा एवं पत्थर आने से मार्ग अवरुद्ध हो गया है। लगातार बारिश एवं पत्थर गिरने के कारण फिलहाल मार्ग खोलना सुरक्षित नहीं है।

यात्रियों की सुरक्षा को सर्वोच्च… pic.twitter.com/kfpcuADTZV

— Rudraprayag Police Uttarakhand (@RudraprayagPol) September 13, 2026

Improved weather and a pause in landslide activity on the morning of September 14 allowed rescue teams to guide returning pilgrims across the obstruction in phases. An initial report that day put the number assisted at more than 6 500, as Public Works Department crews removed stones and debris.

By September 14 evening, SEOC reported that 7 200 pilgrims and approximately 1 200 mules had been moved out of the affected area. Another 150 pilgrims returning from Kedarnath were brought through Chirbasa by 10:15 IST on September 15, raising the cumulative pilgrim total to 7 350.

In an update posted at 08:30 IST (03:00 UTC) on September 15, police said debris clearance was continuing under the supervision of police, district disaster-response personnel, and the Public Works Department. The subsequent reopening announcement confirmed that the route had been cleared for movement.

Police urged pilgrims to follow safety instructions and directions issued by the district administration while traveling along the route.

Reference:

¹ Uttarakhand landslide: 7 350 Kedarnath pilgrims brought to safety — Telangana Today/PTI — September 15, 2026

² Kedarnath trekking route reopened — Rudraprayag Police — September 15, 2026.

³ Over 6,500 pilgrims evacuated from landslide-hit Kedarnath route — The New Indian Express — September 14, 2026.