Dehradun, Sept. 15 -- More than 6,500 pilgrims stranded along the Kedarnath trek route were evacuated safely on Monday after recurring landslides and boulder falls blocked the track near the Chirbasa helipad, prompting authorities to halt pilgrim movement as a precaution. Acting on directions of SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi, a rescue team led by SI Ashish Dimri from SDRF Sonprayag post was deployed to the affected stretch. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), in coordination with local police, District Disaster Response Force (DDRF) and local administration, began guiding pilgrims manually through the section. Despite rugged terrain and continuing hazardous conditions, rescue personnel escorted more than 6,500 pilgrims to safe zones by Monday evening. They also facilitated the safe movement of around 600 to 700 pack animals, including mules and horses, through the cleared portions of the route. The affected pedestrian track is located around 2.5 km above Gaurikund near the Chirbasa helipad. The route had been compromised since Sunday after adverse weather and continuous rockfall from hillside brought movement to a halt late in evening. Authorities accommodated descending pilgrims at different halting stations along the route. Rescue operations resumed early on Monday after weather conditions improved and the hillside stabilised. Teams comprising SDRF, DDRF, Yatra Management Force (YMF), Aapda Mitra volunteers and Uttarakhand Police ensured phased and orderly movement of returning pilgrims through the affected stretch under safety protocols. After pilgrims were moved through the vulnerable section, Public Works Department (PWD) began debris-clearing and track restoration work. The work included removing boulders and mud and reinforcing the damaged footpath. Rudraprayag district magistrate Vishal Mishra said rescue teams remained deployed at the site despite heavy rockfall and praised the work of DDRF and police personnel in gradually evacuating stranded pilgrims....