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Key Points

Chamoli Police has warned devotees to stay away from the Alaknanda River due to rapidly rising water levels caused by sudden rainfall. The advisory comes days after a helicopter crash in Rudraprayag claimed seven lives, heightening safety concerns. Authorities are urging caution as unstable weather conditions persist in the region. The DGCA has also announced reduced helicopter operations in Char Dham as a precautionary measure.

Key Points: Chamoli Police Warn Devotees as Alaknanda River Levels Rise

  • Sudden rainfall raises Alaknanda River levels
  • Police issue safety advisory for Badrinath Dham
  • Recent helicopter crash adds urgency to warnings
  • DGCA reduces Char Dham flights as precaution
3 min read

Chamoli Police urges devotees to avoid Alaknanda River as water levels rise

Chamoli Police urges caution near Alaknanda River in Badrinath Dham after sudden rainfall increases water levels, citing safety concerns.

"Devotees are requested to avoid going near the river. Please be careful. Your safety, our priority. – Chamoli Police"

Chamoli, June 22

Chamoli Police on Sunday urged devotees to avoid going near the Alaknanda River in Badrinath Dham due to rising water levels.

In a post on X, Chamoli Police wrote that the water level in the Alaknanda River had increased rapidly due to sudden rainfall.

https://x.com/chamolipolice/status/1936687214596923527

"Important Information. Currently, the weather is unstable. Due to sudden rainfall, the water level of the Alaknanda River in Shri Badrinath Dham is increasing rapidly. Devotees are requested to avoid going near the river. Please be careful. Your safety, our priority," the post read.

Earlier on June 15, seven people, including a pilot on board a helicopter which crashed near the forested area of Gaurikund in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, died on the spot, as per the State Disaster Response Forces (SDRF)

The Aryan Aviation Helicopter was flying to Guptkashi from the Kedarnath Dham when it crashed at 5:30 am.

The deceased have been identified as Captain Rajbir Singh Chauhan (39), resident of Jaipur, Vikram Rawat (47) a Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee representative and resident of Rasi, Vinod Devi (66), resident of Uttar Pradesh, Trishti Singh (19), resident of Uttar Pradesh, Rajkumar Suresh Jaiswal (41), resident of Gujarat, Shraddha Rajkumar Jaiswal and Kashi (2), resident of Maharashtra.

Rescue teams were immediately dispatched under the direction of SDRF Commander Arpan Yadav. The incident spot was located in a very inaccessible and dense forest area, where a fast-paced and coordinated rescue operation was carried out by the joint teams of SDRF, NDRF, and local police.

Rescue teams worked in inclement weather to retrieve the bodies of the deceased. Furthermore, the bodies will be brought down to the road by the SDRF team.

Employees of BKTC gathered at all the offices of the temple committee and expressed condolences at the demise of BKTC employee, Vikram Rawat, the Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee spokesperson, Harish Gaur said.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a virtual high-level meeting with senior officials from the CM's residence after the helicopter crash.

State Chief Secretary, Disaster Management Secretary, UCADA CEO, Garhwal Commissioner and other senior officials were present in the high-level meeting.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) will investigate the crash, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) stated.

The DGCA further said that, in light of the crash, the frequency of helicopter operations at Char Dham would be reduced as a precautionary measure.

Enhanced surveillance and operational reviews were also carried out by DGCA.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
Very timely warning by Chamoli Police! The Himalayan rivers can be so unpredictable during monsoon. Devotees should definitely follow this advice - darshan can wait but lives can't be replaced. 🙏
R
Rahul S.
After the recent helicopter tragedy, authorities are being extra cautious - and rightly so. The Char Dham yatra is sacred but safety must come first. Maybe the government should install more warning systems along riverbanks.
A
Anjali M.
Heartbreaking to read about the helicopter crash victims. So many families destroyed. The rescue teams are real heroes working in such difficult conditions. We need better weather monitoring systems in Uttarakhand.
V
Vikram P.
While the warning is good, why aren't there permanent safety barriers near Alaknanda in pilgrimage areas? Every year we hear of accidents. Infrastructure needs to match the growing number of devotees.
S
Sunita R.
My family just returned from Badrinath last week. The river currents were already strong then. Tourists often underestimate mountain rivers - they look calm but can be deadly. Good that police are being proactive this time.

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