NewKerala.com

Kedarnath Transforms into Snowy Wonderland Amid -16°C Chill and Avalanche Alert

The holy town of Kedarnath is experiencing severe winter conditions, with 3 to 4 feet of snow covering the temple and temperatures falling to -16 degrees Celsius. Security forces from the ITBP and Rudraprayag Police are braving the extreme cold to conduct patrols around the temple premises and sensitive areas. An avalanche warning has been issued by disaster authorities for several high-altitude districts, including Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag, which are under an Orange Category alert. Despite the hazardous conditions and difficult terrain, officials report that security arrangements are robust and the morale of the personnel remains high.

Key Points: Kedarnath Under 3-4 Feet of Snow, Temperature Drops to -16°C

  • 3-4 feet of snow at shrine
  • Temperatures plummet to -16°C
  • ITBP & police conduct continuous patrols
  • Avalanche warning in Orange Category districts
  • Security arrangements described as fully robust
2 min read

Kedarnath experiencing extreme winter conditions, turns into winter wonderland; with 3-4 feet of snow blanketing

Kedarnath temple is blanketed in 3-4 feet of snow with temps at -16°C. ITBP and police patrol amid avalanche warnings in Uttarakhand's high Himalayas.

"Despite difficult terrain, the morale of the security forces remains high. - Rudraprayag Administration"

Uttarakhand, January 28

The holy town of Kedarnath, nestled in the high Himalayas, is experiencing extreme winter conditions, with 3-4 feet of snow blanketing the shrine and temperatures plummeting to -16°C.

The Rudraprayag district administration told ANI that amid continuous snowfall in the state's high Himalayan regions, the holy town of Kedarnath, the abode of Baba Kedar, has been completely blanketed in snow. At present, around 3 to 4 feet of snow has accumulated at the shrine, and temperatures have dropped to below- 16 degrees Celsius.

Despite the harsh weather, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Rudraprayag Police are braving the cold, conducting continuous patrolling around the temple premises and sensitive areas.

Even in extreme cold and icy winds, the forces are carrying out continuous patrolling in and around the temple premises and other sensitive areas.

The district administration and police have been alerted to the possibility of avalanches, and personnel are maintaining heightened vigilance.

The Rudraprayag district administration and the police department jointly stated that, despite difficult terrain, the morale of the security forces remains high. The security arrangements at Kedarnath Dham are fully robust and in place.

In view of the possibility of snowfall and avalanches in the high-altitude regions of Uttarakhand, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) has alerted all districts. According to the forecast issued by the Defence Geo-Informatics Research Establishment (DGRE), Chandigarh, there is a likelihood of snowfall and avalanches in various high-altitude areas of the state from 5:00 PM on January 27 to 5:00 PM on January 28.

As per the DGRE warning, the districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag have been placed in the Orange Category (Category-3). In this category, deep, unstable snow is present on most avalanche paths, increasing the likelihood of natural avalanches.

Such avalanches may be of medium size and can reach the valley floor. In these conditions, limited movement is considered appropriate only on selected, relatively safer routes, with extreme caution. Any activity on snow-laden slopes can be highly risky.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Nature's fury and beauty on full display. While it looks magical, the avalanche warnings are very serious. I hope the local administration and disaster management teams are fully prepared. Tourists and pilgrims should strictly avoid travel to these areas until the alert is lifted.
R
Rohit P
Respect to our forces! ITBP is always the first line of defence, whether at the borders or protecting our spiritual heritage. The article mentions their morale is high despite the terrain and cold. That's the spirit! 🇮🇳
S
Sarah B
Visiting Kedarnath last year was a profound experience. It's humbling to see it under so much snow. I do wonder though - with climate change, are these extreme weather events becoming more frequent and intense in the Himalayas? The article is informative but doesn't touch on that long-term context.
V
Vikram M
Om Namah Shivaya! The divine abode wrapped in white. This is why the Char Dham yatra has specific months. It's a reminder of nature's power. Glad to read the security arrangements are robust. The forces are doing a great job.
K
Kavya N
My uncle is posted in Rudraprayag district administration. They haven't slept properly for two days coordinating all this. It's a massive, unseen effort behind the scenes. Salute to all the civil and police officials working round the clock! ❄️

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50