Garhwal Post Bureau
Pithoragarh, 2 Jul: In view of continuous heavy rainfall and adverse weather conditions in the hill districts, the Pithoragarh district administration has imposed a temporary halt on the Adi Kailash and Om Parvat Yatra. Prioritising the safety of travellers and vehicles, the administration has also suspended the issue of Inner Line Permits with immediate effect until further orders.
The official order states that, with the onset of the monsoon, incessant rains have triggered landslides, road blockages and other risks in the mountainous regions, making travel unsafe in the area. The administration has appealed to pilgrims to defer their plans until the weather improves and fresh instructions are issued, while expressing regret for the inconvenience caused. According to district records, 103 permits had been issued till 1 July 2026, and a total of 52,441 Inner Line Permits have been granted this year. The administration remains on high alert in the high Himalayan areas of Kumaon and is closely monitoring the weather situation.
It may be recalled that Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had already issued yellow and orange alerts for heavy rainfall between 1 and 4 July, and its impact is being felt across the hill districts. In Rudraprayag, heavy rain brought debris onto the pedestrian route at Gaurikund, damaging a shop though fortunately no casualties were reported. The Rishikesh-Kedarnath highway has also been affected, with stones falling at several points and landslides disrupting travel. Both Garhwal and Kumaon regions are experiencing intense rainfall, prompting the authorities to suspend the Adikailash Yatra as a precautionary measure.
