Key Points
- Char Dham Yatra suspended for 24 hours due to heavy rain, landslides, and safety concerns.
- At least nine workers missing after a cloudburst and landslide hit a labour camp on the Yamunotri Highway in Uttarkashi.
- Critical pilgrimage routes blocked: Yamunotri and Badrinath highways severely affected, stranding hundreds of pilgrims.
- Rescue operations underway: NDRF, SDRF, police, and local administration are actively searching for missing workers and assisting stranded devotees.
- IMD issues red alert for extremely heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand through Monday.
- State government urges caution: Pilgrims advised to stay at safe locations and follow official guidelines.
Dehradun : Catastrophic weather has brought Uttarakhand’s sacred Char Dham Yatra to a standstill as relentless heavy rains triggered devastating landslides and a deadly cloudburst in Uttarkashi district. The state government, prioritizing the safety of thousands of pilgrims, has suspended the yatra for 24 hours and launched intensive rescue operations after at least nine workers went missing near Silai Band on the Yamunotri Highway.
Cloudburst Sweeps Away Labour Camp, 9 Missing
A sudden cloudburst struck late Saturday night near Baligarh, along the Barkot-Yamunotri road in Uttarkashi. The deluge caused a landslide that swept away a labourers’ campsite adjacent to an under-construction hotel. Out of 19 workers present at the site, 10 were rescued, while the fate of the remaining nine remains uncertain. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police are combing through debris and swollen streams, battling tough terrain and continuous rain in hopes of finding survivors.
“The Char Dham Yatra has been suspended for the next 24 hours following a heavy rain alert. As a precautionary measure, I have given instructions to the police and administration officials to stop the pilgrims in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Sonprayag, and Vikasnagar,”
— Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey.
Pilgrimage Routes Severely Disrupted
The impact of the cloudburst and subsequent landslides has been severe:
- Yamunotri Highway: A 10–12 meter section has been completely washed away, cutting off access to the revered shrine and leaving hundreds of pilgrims stranded on both sides of the blockage.
- Badrinath Highway: Blocked at multiple points due to landslides and debris, with restoration efforts underway.
- Other Routes: The Gangotri National Highway and several link roads have also been affected by landslides, further complicating rescue and relief efforts.
Statewide Emergency Response
Authorities have placed all affected districts on high alert. Relief and rescue teams have been activated across the region, with Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey and Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert, warning of extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning across Uttarakhand on Sunday and Monday.
Government Appeals and Next Steps
Officials have appealed to devotees and tourists to:
- Stay at designated safe locations and not proceed to pilgrimage sites until conditions improve.
- Follow all official advisories and weather updates before planning any travel in the region.
- Remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement in landslide-prone areas.
Further decisions on resuming the Char Dham Yatra will be made after a review of weather and road conditions on Monday.
Background: Char Dham Yatra’s Significance
The Char Dham Yatra, covering Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath, is one of India’s holiest pilgrimages, attracting lakhs of devotees annually. The current suspension marks a rare disruption, underscoring the severity of the ongoing natural calamity.
