At least three pilgrims were killed in a landslide triggered by rains when they were on their way to Uttarakhand's Kedarnath temple on Sunday, officials said.

Eight people were also injured in the same accident, which occurred near the Chirbasa area on the Gaurikund-Kedarnath trekking route in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district.

The injured have been taken to a hospital.

"Devotees were buried under the debris at Chirbasa on the Kedarnath Yatra route. Teams of the State Disaster Response Force and District Disaster Response Force are carrying out rescue operations," Rudraprayag's District Magistrate posted on X.

"Efforts are underway to minimise the possibility of injuries and loss of lives. The district administration has requested travellers to stay in a safe place," the senior official added.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.

"Relief and rescue work is going on at the site of the accident. I am constantly in touch with the officials in this regard. Instructions have been given to provide better treatment to those injured in the accident," he wrote on X.

Earlier in the day, the Gangotri National Highway near Bishanpur was closed due to a landslide.