By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Rudraprayag, 22 Jul: The Kedarnath Yatra resumed this afternoon after the 16-km trek route was restored following an intensive eight-hour clearance operation in the Chhaudi area, about one kilometre ahead of Gaurikund. The route was blocked near Gaurikund as heavy boulders and debris had crashed onto the pathway after incessant overnight rain. The Yatra remained temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure, with the pilgrims halted at designated safe locations, before the route was again declared fit for movement under the supervision of the district administration.
The disruption occurred after continuous rainfall throughout last night and early this morning triggered a fresh landslide in the highly vulnerable Chhaudi stretch, completely blocking the pedestrian route to Kedarnath temple. In view of the safety of pilgrims, the administration had immediately stopped all movement on the trek and accommodated yatris at safe holding areas in Gaurikund, Sonprayag and Bhimbali until restoration work was completed.
Teams of the District Disaster Response Force (DDRF), police personnel, local workers and other agencies launched an extensive operation this morning to remove the huge boulders and accumulated debris from the route. After nearly eight hours of continuous effort, the trek has been reopened for pilgrims, following which stranded devotees have been allowed to proceed towards Kedarnath in a regulated manner under the supervision of the authorities.
District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said the route has been successfully restored after several hours of relentless work and that the Yatra is now continuing under close administrative monitoring. He appealed to the pilgrims to remain cautious in view of the prevailing weather conditions and strictly follow all the advisories issued by the administration and police.
The District Emergency Operation Centre (DEOC) said light rain and fog continues to prevail across Rudraprayag district today. Rainfall of 33 mm was recorded in Jakholi, 23 mm in Ukhimath and 13 mm in Rudraprayag. Despite the rainfall, the water levels of the Alaknanda, Mandakini and other major rivers, including at Gaurikund, remained below the warning level and did not pose any immediate threat.
Meanwhile, the administration has reported that a serious landslide situation has also developed in the lower area of Liswalta Bangar Gram Panchayat, where departmental teams have been rushed to the spot to assess the situation and initiate necessary action.
Road connectivity in the district continues to be affected by the monsoon. While the National Highway remained open, three State Highways, four PWD roads, six PMGSY roads and one NPCC road reportedly remained blocked due to landslides and debris. Officials said all the departments concerned have been directed to remain on the highest level of preparedness to deal with any emergency arising from the continuing spell of rain.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for heavy rainfall at isolated places in Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Nainital, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts, with the Char Dham region remaining under close watch. Authorities have warned that intense rainfall may trigger fresh landslides, rockfall and shooting stones along vulnerable stretches of the pilgrimage routes.
The latest disruption came barely a day after the Char Dham Yatra had resumed following an earlier weather-related suspension. Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop had temporarily halted the pilgrimage earlier this week due to persistent heavy rain and the heightened risk of landslides before permitting the resumption of the Yatra after weather conditions improved.
The Chhaudi stretch on the Kedarnath trek has emerged as one of the most landslide-prone locations during the ongoing monsoon. In recent weeks, repeated incidents of rockfall and debris flow have forced temporary suspension of the pilgrimage on several occasions, requiring repeated restoration efforts by disaster response teams. The administration has strengthened monitoring of vulnerable stretches along the route and is continuously reviewing weather conditions before allowing pilgrim movement.
Meanwhile, the Badrinath Highway is currently blocked at Bhanerpani and Gulabkoti; reports indicate that falling rocks, triggered by heavy rain and landslides, have obstructed the road. Meanwhile, the Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines remained open as of this morning, and the pilgrimage is proceeding smoothly, although several areas in these regions have been experiencing rainfall since early today. Amidst the risks posed by landslides and heavy rain, the Garhwal Commissioner issued a warning to the pilgrims stating that the pilgrimage is being managed through close coordination among the administrations of all districts associated with the Char Dham Yatra, the police, the SDRF, and relevant departments. The pilgrimage routes are under constant monitoring, and special vigilance is being maintained in landslide-prone areas.
The officials have once again appealed to pilgrims not to proceed during the spells of heavy rainfall and to remain at designated holding areas whenever directed by the authorities. They have advised devotees to undertake the pilgrimage only after checking the latest weather forecasts and official travel advisories, as intermittent rain and unstable hill slopes continue to pose challenges across the Char Dham Yatra routes.
