The risk of landslides near Rampur Market along the Kedarnath Highway is increasing due to continuous heavy rain in the Kedarnath Valley, District Magistrate Vishal Mishra said on Saturday.
Mishra said the area has been facing land subsidence for some time, but the problem has now begun spreading towards the market.
A large stretch of the highway has also been damaged by the ground movement, causing concern among local traders and residents. Traders have claimed that officials from the highway authorities have not yet inspected the affected site, he said.
Mishra said land subsidence has been reported in the vulnerable zone near Rampur Market since June. The movement had earlier damaged the road’s retaining wall. The wall was repaired by the agency responsible for maintaining the highway, but heavy rain in the last week of July caused it to collapse again.
Officials said the repeated rainfall has worsened the situation, with the damaged retaining wall adding to concerns over the stability of the road.
Mishra said the affected area has now moved closer to the market. More than half of the road is believed to be at risk, raising concerns among traders about the safety of their shops and nearby buildings.
Meanwhile, a landslide-like incident near the Birhi River earlier on Sunday sent a large amount of water, mud and debris into an under-construction THDC project tunnel near Pipalkoti in Chamoli district.
The sudden flow of debris trapped 22 workers inside the tunnel. Four workers have been found dead so far.
Rescue teams, including the NDRF, are continuing efforts at the site. NDRF team commander Amrit Lal Meena said 18 of the 22 workers trapped inside the tunnel have been rescued safely.
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