Fresh landslides hit the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway on Sunday forcing the Badrinath and Hemkund yatra to remain suspended for the fifth consecutive day and hampering rescue operations of 1,500 stranded pilgrims.
The highway was blocked at ten places between Peepalkoti and Lambagarh areas of Chamoli district, official sources said. Due to the landslides there are 1,500 pilgrims still stranded at a number of areas, they added.
The fresh landslides hit the highway in Purkhari, Kuthialsain, Marwari, Jharkula and other areas, the sources said, adding the Border Road Organisation (BRO) was battling to clear the road from the boulders and mud.
Landslides are still continuing, BRO officials said. A large number of vehicles are also stranded at a number of places, Chamoli District Magistrate Ajay Nabial said.
Trekking route to Badrinath has been affected by the landslides.
Heavy landslides hit Lambagarh area last month that washed away nearly 300 meter long road between Joshimath and Badrinath. Nearly 17 people were killed in the landslides.
