Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 1 Sep: The government has announced suspension of the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib Yatra in view of the incessant rainfall across the state, particularly in the Garhwal hills. The Yatra has been suspended till 5 September in view of the red and orange alerts issued for the hills by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey has stated that the continuous heavy rainfall has triggered multiple landslides and led to the accumulation of debris on several key routes including along the Yatra routes and has severely affected the road connectivity in the region. While efforts are underway to clear the affected roads and restore safe passage, the decision to halt the pilgrimage temporarily has been taken keeping in mind the safety and convenience of the devotees.
Pandey has further urged the pilgrims not to proceed towards the Yatra routes under the present weather conditions and to strictly adhere to the advisories issued by the administration. He emphasised that the yatra will only be resumed once the weather stabilises and the roads are declared completely safe for travel. He also asserted that the government is actively monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities to ensure timely road clearance and to maintain safety protocols for all travellers.
Pandey further claimed that all the necessary arrangements are being made for real-time road surveillance and for removal of debris, and that the administration is fully committed to safeguarding the interests of the pilgrims. Pilgrims have been requested to remain patient and stay in regular contact with the administrative control room for the latest updates regarding travel conditions and yatra resumption.
