Rudraprayag, March 13 – The Gaurikund-Kedarnath trekking route has been severely affected by heavy snowfall and massive ice blocks, making travel beyond Choti Lincholi nearly impossible. A three-member inspection team attempted to assess the situation but could not proceed beyond Choti Lincholi due to deep snow and large ice formations. For now, pedestrian movement from Choti Lincholi to Kedarnath remains blocked.
The Public Works Department (PWD) has announced that the snow clearance operation will commence on Friday, aiming to restore the trekking path as soon as possible.
Inspection Team Encounters Severe Snowfall & Ice Blocks
On Wednesday, a three-member team consisting of Revenue Sub-Inspector Rajiv Nakholia, PWD Junior Engineer Jai Makhluga, and Yogendra Singh Rawat set out from Gaurikund to Kedarnath to inspect the current situation.
🔹 Snow Depth Recorded:
- Jungle Chatti to Choti Lincholi: 0.5 to 3 feet of snow
- Beyond Choti Lincholi: Over 4 feet of snow
🔹 Major Obstacles Identified:
- Large ice blocks near TFT Chatti, making further travel extremely difficult
- High risk of avalanches and sliding ice from upper slopes
According to PWD Executive Engineer Vinay Jikwan, the route from Gaurikund to Choti Lincholi is relatively safe despite minor damages, which will be repaired soon. However, trekking beyond Choti Lincholi remains unsafe due to active ice formations covering a large stretch of the route.
Snow Clearance Operations Begin Today
🚜 PWD’s Snow Removal Plan:
✔️ Operations start today (Friday, March 15)
✔️ First phase will deploy 70-80 laborers
✔️ Teams of 20 workers assigned to different locations
⏳ Estimated Timeline:
- If weather conditions remain favorable, the route is expected to be cleared by the first week of April.
- Glacial ice formations beyond Choti Lincholi may take until mid-May to melt completely.
Once the path is clear, the department will gra
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.