Pithoragarh (Uttaranchal): The Kailash-Mansarovar yatra came to an abrupt halt on the third day of the pilgrimage today when landslides blocked the road at Teentola, nearly 15 km from Dharchula, leaving the pilgrims stranded at Tawaghat, police said.

Public Works Department personnel were pressed into service to clear the road, Pithoragarh Superintendent of Police Vijay Bhatia said.

The first batch of 16 pilgrims who had reached Dharchula town on July 9 had left by bus for Mangati on July 10 morning.

From Mangati, the last motorhead in Pithoragarh district, the pilgrims would start an arduous trek of 200 km to Kailash-Mansarovar in Tibet, officials said.

PTI