Chardham Yatra put on hold in view of heavy rain alert

Dehradun: The Uttarakhand government has suspended the Char Dham pilgrimage due to intense to extremely intense rain alerts issued by the meteorological department, which predict flash floods, landslides, rock falls, and mudslides across nine districts in the state. The alert advises people to avoid traveling to the hills and urges residents near landslide-prone areas to relocate to safer locations.

Garhwal commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey announced the government’s decision, stating, “The Char Dham pilgrimage management has decided to suspend the Yatra in light of the heavy to very heavy rain prediction in the special forecast bulletin issued by the meteorological department for July 6, 7, and 8.”

He emphasised that the decision was made in the interest of public safety and to protect the lives and property of the pilgrims. The Dehradun-based meteorological department has issued red and orange alerts for nine districts until July 8. This includes all six districts in the Kumaon region — Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Bageshwar, Champawat, Pithoragarh, and Almora — as well as Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli districts in the Garhwal region. The weather forecast for July 7 indicates heavy to very heavy rainfall in many places and extremely heavy rainfall in isolated areas across all nine districts. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and very intense to extremely intense spells are likely in isolated places in Kumaon and the Garhwal districts of Pauri, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag.

Additionally, heavy to very heavy rainfall is predicted in several other places, including Tehri, Dehradun, Haridwar, and Uttarkashi in Garhwal. The weather forecast bulletin warns, “Minor to medium landslides, rock falls, and mudslides are likely to occur at a few places in the hills of the Kumaon region and the Pauri, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli districts of Garhwal, leading to the blocking and washing out of roads, highways, and bridges.

“Residents in vulnerable hill areas are advised to move to safer locations and remain vigilant, especially at night. Pilgrims, tourists, and commuters are urged to avoid traveling to these districts. People living near rivers, their tributaries, low-lying areas, and floodplains are advised to stay alert and be prepared to move to higher and safer locations.Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the situation across the state and directed district administrations to remain alert in accordance with the weather warnings and to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of the people.

He instructed District Disaster Management Officers to monitor river water levels and potential landslides closely.Additionally, nearly 180 roads, including several highways, remain blocked in the state as the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), state Public Works Department (PWD), and other agencies work to clear them as soon as possible.