Garhwal Post Bureau
UTTARKASHI, 30 May: With the Char Dham Yatra witnessing heavy influx of pilgrims at Gangotri Dham, the district administration and police have issued an alert following the rise in the water level of the Bhagirathi river due to changing weather conditions and increasing temperatures in the hills. The strong current and rapid flow of the river have prompted officials to strengthen safety measures at all major bathing ghats and advise pilgrims to exercise utmost caution.
The security personnel, including police and other agencies, are continuously sensitising visitors and urging them to bathe only at designated safe spots. The authorities have warned that negligence near the river can lead to serious accidents. The pilgrims have been specifically requested not to take selfies, photographs or make social media reels along the riverbanks, slippery stones or sensitive locations, as such acts could prove fatal.
To ensure safety, double security ropes have been installed at several points along the river to prevent anyone from accidentally being swept away by the strong current. Barricading and safety chains have also been arranged at bathing ghats. The administration has clarified that pilgrims should restrict bathing to authorised ghats where proper security arrangements exist and avoid deep waters or unauthorised sites.
The officials also stressed that instructions issued by water police, SDRF, police and other security personnel deployed along the ghats and pilgrimage routes must be strictly followed. The district administration has further appealed to all the pilgrims to cooperate, stating that adherence to safety rules is the responsibility of every traveller.
