Char Dham Yatra Suspended for Two Days Amid Landslides, Heavy Rain Alert

The Char Dham Yatra has been temporarily suspended for two days in Uttarakhand following landslides at several locations along pilgrimage routes and a warning of heavy rainfall, officials said on Tuesday.

Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop said the pilgrimage would remain suspended on Tuesday and Wednesday as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of devotees travelling to the Himalayan shrines.

According to the official, multiple stretches of the pilgrimage routes have been blocked or affected by landslides, disrupting movement and creating potential risks for pilgrims. The weather department has also issued a heavy rainfall alert, prompting authorities to halt the yatra until conditions become safer.

The suspension is aimed at preventing pilgrims from being stranded on vulnerable stretches of the routes or exposed to risks arising from further landslides and adverse weather conditions. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and will take a decision on restarting the pilgrimage based on weather conditions and the status of the roads.

Swaroop said the Char Dham pilgrimage will resume once the weather improves and the routes are assessed and declared safe for travel.

The Char Dham Yatra, which covers the revered shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath, attracts thousands of devotees every year. However, the pilgrimage routes are particularly vulnerable to landslides and road blockages during the monsoon season due to heavy rainfall in the mountainous region.

With the latest weather alert in place, authorities have prioritised the safety of pilgrims and are expected to review the situation before allowing the yatra to resume. Devotees planning to undertake the pilgrimage have been advised to remain alert and follow official instructions regarding travel and route accessibility.