The ongoing Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has been kept under tight security guard due to the warning issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for heavy rainfall, thunderstorm, lightning and strong wind in various hill districts of the state in the coming two days. The police have asked pilgrims to be careful during their travel to the holy places of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri.
The IMD has issued an orange alert in Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Tehri Garhwal districts. The rapid drop in rainfall could cause landslides, traffic jams, trekking routes to get slippery and flash floods in sensitive mountain areas, weather officials warned.
To prevent any mishappening during this pilgrimage season, the Uttarakhand administration has been increasing its security on the Char Dham roads. Staff of the police, disaster response teams, and the medical units have been warned to be on alert in places where heavy rain is likely. Pilgrims have also been cautioned to stay away from areas of heavy weather activity and heed the official warnings before departing for the journey.
The Kedarnath route is being given special attention, as it becomes hazardous during heavy rainfall with the fear of rockfalls and slippery mountain paths, officials stated. Road movement and helicopter services could also be impacted based on forecasts for the next few days.
Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey urged the devotees to work in a coordinated manner with the police and ensure safety during the yatra. He advised travellers to always check the forecasts and delay journeys if the weather deteriorates. Emergency response teams and district administration are asked to be on their guard at all times in case of adverse weather conditions.
But thousands of pilgrims still come to Uttarakhand for the annual pilgrimage that has tremendous religious significance for the Hindus of the country. Although the Char Dham Yatra is a popular pilgrimage, the trek through the Himalayas and the unpredictable weather conditions can be challenging at times.
The IMD is meanwhile monitoring the weather in the area and giving updates via its special pilgrim forecasting system. The authorities have asked tourists and pilgrims not to spread rumours and to only trust official weather bulletins and official statements by the government for accurate information.
The administration has given assurance that all the necessary arrangements are being made to ensure the safety of the pilgrims and their smooth movement during the yatra season.
