18 Telugu pilgrims stranded; 500 was elsewhere
A September group from Nizamabad and Vizianagaram was later reported safe. The 500-plus figure belonged to a separate August incident involving pilgrims generally.
A landslide-blocked route near Kedarnath during the September 2024 rains.
Eighteen pilgrims from Nizamabad in Telangana and Vizianagaram in Andhra Pradesh were stranded around Kedarnath in September 2024 after heavy rain and landslides disrupted routes and halted helicopter services, according to reports. They had travelled through Southern Travels, and had reportedly been stuck since September 11. (telugu.samayam.com)
The group was later reported safe, with some pilgrims reaching Guptkashi. Reports said the pilgrims had contacted Vizianagaram MP Kalishetti Appalanaidu, while Andhra Pradesh minister Nara Lokesh was informed about the situation. (andhrajyothy.com)
The figure of more than 500 belongs to a separate August incident involving pilgrims on the rain-damaged Kedarnath route generally. It does not establish 500 Telugu pilgrims. In September, around 2,500 pilgrims were reportedly held at Sonprayag as the trek was closed because of heavy rain. (telegraphindia.com) (amarujala.com)
The 500-pilgrim headline has therefore made a separate incident do double duty. Even the weather did not manage that.