The Char Dham Yatra has resumed after being temporarily stopped on July 20 as a precaution due to bad weather. The decision to restart the pilgrimage was taken after officials reviewed the condition of the routes.
Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop said the yatra is now being carried out in coordination with district administrations, police, SDRF teams and other departments in all four Char Dham districts. Officials are keeping a close watch on the pilgrimage routes, especially in areas considered vulnerable, an official release said.
The commissioner urged pilgrims to stay at designated safe places or holding areas if their journey is interrupted because of heavy rain, landslides or other problems. They should follow all instructions issued by the administration and police. Pilgrims will be allowed to move ahead only when the routes are considered safe.
Swaroop said the safety of pilgrims is the administration's main concern. All departments have been asked to closely monitor the weather and road conditions along the yatra routes. Officials have also been told to take immediate steps if the situation worsens.
Pilgrims have been advised to check the latest weather conditions before starting their journey. They should also depend only on official updates and advisories issued by the administration.
The Uttarakhand administration had on Monday temporarily stopped the Char Dham Yatra as a precaution amid continued heavy rainfall, red and orange alerts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and landslides reported at several points on the pilgrimage routes.
The Garhwal Commissioner had asked District Magistrates and other officials to ensure that devotees already travelling on the routes were moved to safe locations. They were also directed to allow the journey to continue only after the routes were declared safe.
Officials were also instructed to keep pilgrims and the public informed about the situation through the media and other communication channels.
The administration said the temporary suspension was purely a safety measure. It was taken because of the ongoing bad weather and difficult conditions on some routes. The yatra would be allowed to continue once the routes were declared safe and the situation improved.
Pilgrims were also asked not to believe rumours or unverified information. They should follow only official advisories and comply with directions from local district authorities until weather conditions become stable.
Also read: Yamunotri Highway blocked by debris; schools to remain shut
Follow us
