Badrinath, Kedarnath, Hemkund Sahib yatra temporarily halted due to heavy rainfall
Dehradun, May 31
Amid continuous rainfall in the upper Himalayan regions, the administration has temporarily suspended the movement of pilgrims heading towards Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand's Garhwal as a precautionary measure. Authorities have stopped vehicles from proceeding further until a detailed assessment of the weather conditions and the status of the pilgrimage routes is completed.
The vehicles halted at Srinagar's Garhwal include those carrying pilgrims bound for Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Hemkund Sahib. Officials are closely monitoring the weather situation and road conditions. The onward movement of vehicles will be allowed only after the routes are declared safe for travel.
The administration has appealed to pilgrims to remain patient and strictly follow official advisories and updates related to weather and the ongoing pilgrimage.
Deepak Bhandari, Executive Magistrate of Srinagar (Garhwal), said the yatra has been temporarily halted due to extreme weather conditions.
"Due to extreme weather conditions today, the yatra has been stopped for a while. The journey has been suspended because of heavy rainfall in Rudraprayag and Chamoli," he said.
He provided details on the arrangements for pilgrims in Srinagar, saying, "Currently, in Srinagar, we have two halting areas: the NIT ground where we are standing, where we have already parked more than 100 small vehicles and about 30-35 large vehicles. We also have arrangements at the Awas Vikas ground."
On facilities and support for pilgrims, Bhandari added, "We are continuously resolving any issues people have here regarding toilets and water. Additionally, we have ordered food packets, which will be available shortly. We are working constantly to ensure that the pilgrims do not face any problems."
At the halting point in Srinagar, pilgrim Sachin Kumar, who travelled from Uttar Pradesh and was heading to Kedarnath Dham, said the journey has been delayed due to the weather. "The plan was for three to four days, but given the weather, the police have stopped us here. It's possible it might take a bit longer now. We will proceed according to whatever the administration advises," he said.
About the facilities during the wait, Sachin added, "The Uttarakhand administration is doing a great job. There are no problems; everything is going well."
— ANI
Reader Comments
I appreciate that they're providing food and water at the halting points. But I hope the administration also considers setting up better temporary shelters. With monsoon season starting earlier each year, we need more robust infrastructure for such situations. Still, good to see the quick response.
As someone who has traveled to Kedarnath before, I know how unpredictable the weather can be there. This is a wise decision. Better to be stuck in Srinagar for a day than face a landslide situation. Pilgrims should pack extra snacks and warm clothes for such delays.
After the 2013 Kedarnath floods, we can't take any chances. The weather forecast systems have improved, but nature is still unpredictable. I'm glad the authorities are being proactive. The pilgrim from UP said it well - just follow what the administration says. Har Har Mahadev! 🚩
My parents were planning to go to Badrinath next week. Hope the weather clears up soon! The fact that they're arranging food packets and toilets shows the administration has learned from past experiences. Still, one suggestion - they should also have medical teams ready at these halting points.
It's good that Hemkund Sahib is also included in this precautionary measure. The Sikh sangat going there should also be cautious. The weather in the Garhwal region can change in minutes. Let's all pray for clear skies and safe travel for everyone. Waheguru blessed us with this beautiful land, but we must respect its power. 🙏
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