The annual Badrinath Yatra was stalled today after landslides triggered by rains blocked the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway.
About 500 pilgrims were stranded in Badrinath after a fresh landslide blocked the road near Joshimath in Chamoli district here today.
"Three helicopters have been rushed to Joshimath by the state government to rescue the stranded pilgrims and bring them to Joshimath," said Chamoli District Magistrate Ashok Kumar.
A landslide had occurred at the underground Vishnuprayag Hydroelectric Power House in Hathi Parbat before the Badrinath yatra commenced on April 26 but before its debris could be cleared, the fresh landslide occurred.
The road was supposed to be opened for vehicular traffic today.
Mr Kumar said it would now take at least two days for the road to reopen.
Jawans of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) have been deployed in clearing up the highway.
Advisories have been put up by the district administration at different places on the highway for the convenience of the pilgrims.
The portals of Badrinath were opened on April 26 and the road got blocked within three days.