Mussoorie, Sept. 16 -- Joint relief teams comprised of District Disaster Response Force (DDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Youth Mountain Force (YMF), Aapda Mitra and police have evacuated over 7,200 pilgrims from the rockfall-prone Chirbasa stretch on the Kedarnath trek route, officials said on Tuesday, adding that operations were ongoing. The teams remained deployed along the vulnerable hillside near the Chirbasa helipad amid the continuing risk of boulder falls. Officials said rescue personnel were distributing helmets and other safety gear among pilgrims and escorting them in controlled groups across the hazardous section. Uttarkashi district magistrate Vishal Mishra ordered the operation and DDMO Nandan Singh Rajwar supervised it,said officials. PWD assistant engineer Sumit Bisht said over 20 workers were deployed to clear debris on the stretch near the Chirbasa helipad. "Over 20 workers deployed at the affected stretch near Chirbasa helipad have cleared debris 3 feet wide, making the stretch walkable for pilgrim movement, but the risk persists due to falling boulders," he said. According to the SDRF, more than 7,200 pilgrims had been evacuated by Monday night, along with around 1,300 mules and horses. Officials said pilgrims waiting at Sonprayag were allowed to resume their journey once the trail was certified safe for footfall. "The boulder falls intensify during the spell of rain but stop when the sky is clear, and pilgrims towards Kedarnath are being permitted in a controlled manner during the period when the boulder fall incidents subside," said Kedarnath priest Keshav Tiwari. The latest restrictions followed a major rockfall on September 13, which killed Madan Mohan Tiwari, a resident of Ukhimath....