Chamoli: The Badrinath National Highway was blocked near Bhanerpani on Wednesday after debris from a hillside fell onto the road, further disrupting travel in Uttarakhand amid continuous rainfall and landslides.
Authorities suspended the Char Dham Yatra on Tuesday, and it remained shut on Wednesday in the interest of passenger safety, as several pilgrimage routes have been rendered unsafe due to landslides and a heavy rainfall alert issued for the region.
The Garhwal Divisional Commissioner said the yatra would resume only after weather conditions improve and the affected routes are cleared and declared safe for pilgrims.
Meanwhile, the Kedarnath Highway has also been blocked in the Munkatiya area after debris and rocks tumbled onto the road following incessant rainfall. Road-clearing operations are being carried out on a war footing, with heavy machinery deployed to remove the debris and restore connectivity. The district administration has taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety and smooth movement of pilgrims.
The Yatra Control Room is closely monitoring the situation in real time. Regular announcements are being issued to sector officers, police personnel, and other security agencies to ensure effective coordination and the safety of travellers.
Speaking on the situation, Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Nandan Singh Rajwar said on Tuesday, “The road travel route is likely to remain obstructed at several places. Earlier, the road at Munkatiya was blocked but was reopened immediately. However, the area remains vulnerable. There is a constant threat of falling rocks, and in view of safety concerns, pilgrims are being assisted while crossing the affected stretch. Sector officers and rescue teams are continuously monitoring the route, and people are being advised to halt at safe locations.”
Continuous rainfall and frequent landslides have significantly affected the Char Dham Yatra this year, leading to a decline in daily pilgrim footfall. However, despite adverse weather conditions, more than 45 lakh devotees have visited the sacred shrines so far.
According to official figures, a total of 45,23,412 pilgrims had visited the Char Dham shrines in Uttarakhand by July 25. In the last 24 hours alone, only 8,126 pilgrims undertook the pilgrimage. Of these, 2,778 visited Badrinath, 2,475 travelled to Gangotri, 942 reached Kedarnath, and 895 visited Yamunotri.
Since the commencement of the pilgrimage, Badrinath has recorded the highest number of visitors at 15,53,525, followed by Kedarnath with 14,14,590 pilgrims. Gangotri has received 7,09,418 visitors, while Yamunotri has welcomed 6,49,957 pilgrims.
Police, district authorities, and teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) remain on high alert and are closely monitoring vulnerable locations to ensure that the Char Dham Yatra can resume safely once weather conditions improve.
Known as Devbhoomi or the “Land of Gods”, Uttarakhand is home to numerous revered temples and pilgrimage circuits. The Char Dham Yatra, one of the state’s most significant religious pilgrimages, covers four sacred shrines — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath — located in the majestic Himalayan region and visited by millions of devotees every year.
(IANS)
