Char Dham Yatra Suspended for Second Day Amid Heavy Rain in Uttarakhand; Resumes Monday

Dehradun: The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand was suspended for the second consecutive day on Sunday as heavy rain lashed several parts of the state, raising concerns over the safety of pilgrims travelling through vulnerable mountain routes. The pilgrimage, which had been suspended from the afternoon of September 26, resumed on Monday, September 28, after weather conditions improved.

The suspension was ordered as a precautionary measure following weather warnings from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Heavy rainfall was reported across several districts, while snowfall occurred in higher-altitude areas. The administration had directed officials to closely monitor the pilgrimage routes and prevent pilgrim movement where conditions were considered hazardous.

1,500 pilgrims rescued after Kedarnath landslide

The difficult weather also affected the Kedarnath trek route. Around 1,500 pilgrims who became stranded in the Chirbasa area following a landslide were rescued and escorted safely to Gaurikund by joint teams of the SDRF, NDRF and DDRF.

Officials said debris and boulders had blocked the route near the Chirbasa helipad, while continuing rockfalls made movement through the affected section dangerous. The rescue teams guided pilgrims across the landslide zone and moved them towards Gaurikund.

The damaged section of the Kedarnath pedestrian route remains closed while repair and strengthening work is carried out. Kedarnath pilgrimage through helicopter services is continuing, according to the state administration.

136 mountaineers stranded amid snowfall

The adverse weather also left around 136 mountaineers, including foreign nationals, stranded at different locations in the mountainous regions of Uttarakhand. Authorities were working to evacuate them by helicopter.

Rafting activities near Rishikesh were also suspended after the water level of the Ganga rose rapidly because of heavy rainfall.

Rain-related deaths reported

Two people, including a child, died in separate rain-related incidents during the period of intense rainfall.

In Pauri district, a man identified as Balveer Singh died after being trapped under debris when a house collapsed in the Thalisain area. Two mud houses also collapsed in Nainital district, although no casualties were reported there.

A landslide near Munna Band in Pithoragarh also blocked a road. SDRF personnel helped around 500 travellers cross the affected stretch using ropes.

Red and orange rain alerts issued

The IMD had issued a red alert for Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Champawat, Nainital and Pauri districts, while an orange alert covered the remaining districts, including Dehradun.

High-altitude areas received snowfall and temperatures dropped significantly. Dehradun recorded a maximum temperature of 21.1°C on Sunday, around nine degrees below normal, according to officials.

Pilgrims advised to remain cautious

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to remain on high alert and advised residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel during the adverse weather.

With the Char Dham Yatra now resumed, authorities have asked pilgrims to regularly check weather and road conditions and follow instructions issued by district administrations and police.

The situation on the Kedarnath route, however, remains sensitive because of the landslide damage and continuing risks in the mountainous terrain.