The 24-hour temporary suspension on the Char Dham Yatra due to heavy rainfall was lifted on Monday morning, allowing pilgrims to continue their journey based on local weather conditions. The travel ban was imposed on Sunday following intense rainfall across parts of Uttarakhand, which triggered multiple landslides and disrupted travel routes.
Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey announced the resumption of the yatra, instructing district magistrates along the Char Dham route to monitor the weather closely and regulate vehicular movement accordingly. While the broader ban has been lifted, specific restrictions remain in place at the district level to ensure pilgrim safety.
In Uttarkashi, the district administration has imposed a night-time travel restriction. From 9 PM to 5 AM, no vehicles—except emergency, military, or paramilitary services—will be allowed to move. Police checkpoints across the district have been instructed to enforce the curfew, with only ambulances and essential service vehicles permitted to operate during restricted hours.
Despite the easing of restrictions, adverse weather continues to affect large swathes of the state. Heavy rains have led to multiple landslides, further disrupting the pilgrimage routes. On the Badrinath Highway, a massive landslide near Gauchar-Taldhari brought debris and boulders crashing down from the hillside, temporarily closing the road. Fortunately, no casualties were reported, as passersby narrowly escaped injury.
Similarly, on the Karnaprayag-Nainisain road, a rockfall occurred approximately 500 meters beyond the ITI point, though no one was harmed. Authorities have issued alerts, warning pilgrims and locals to remain vigilant in the coming days, as the terrain remains unstable due to continuous rainfall.
Rescue operation on:
Rescue efforts are also underway in Uttarkashi's Silai Band area, where a cloudburst struck over the weekend. As of Monday, seven people are still missing. Rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have been deployed. Two bodies were recovered late Saturday evening.
The cloudburst had struck a site where a hotel was under construction. At the time of the incident, around 29 workers were reported to be staying there. Despite 24 hours of rescue operations, the whereabouts of the remaining missing individuals remain unknown.
Meanwhile, the Yamunotri Highway in the affected area remains closed, with nearly 20 meters of the road washed away by the deluge. Vehicular movement on this crucial route is currently suspended.
Officials have urged pilgrims to stay updated on local weather advisories and avoid travel during heavy rainfall or at night. With the monsoon season intensifying, authorities are on high alert to prevent further tragedies and ensure the safety of thousands undertaking the sacred Char Dham Yatra.
