A huge boulder that came crashing down from a mountain top near Agastyamuni on the Kedarnath route hit a commuting car, but fortunately all the occupants escaped with their lives, officials said.
The incident took place on the Kedarnath National Highway between Kund and Kakragad in Rudraprayag district, an area that has seen repeated incidents of rockfall during the monsoon and yatra season. According to police, the car was travelling when boulders suddenly tumbled down from the hillside and struck the vehicle, causing it to lose control.
A police team and disaster response personnel reached the spot soon after being alerted and found the car damaged. All passengers were pulled out safely and rushed to the Community Health Centre in Agastyamuni for check-ups and first aid. Officials said no one suffered life-threatening injuries, though some had minor bruises from the impact and the sudden jolt.
The victims were reportedly returning from Kund towards Rudraprayag when the boulder fall occurred around evening hours.
Authorities have once again flagged this stretch as landslide-prone and have urged commuters and pilgrims to exercise extra caution, especially during and after rainfall when loose rocks are more likely to come down. The Rudraprayag district disaster management office said teams are monitoring vulnerable points along the Kedarnath highway and have advised drivers to avoid night travel in sensitive zones.
The Kedarnath route witnesses heavy pilgrim traffic, and incidents of falling boulders have been reported at several points including Kund, Kankaragad and Mankutiya in the past months. Police said traffic was briefly regulated after the incident to clear debris and ensure safety for other vehicles.
No casualties were reported in this particular case, and after medical observation at Agastyamuni, the occupants were discharged.
