yellow-alert-disrupts-kedarnath-yatra

The Kedarnath Yatra has been put on high alert after a yellow alert issued for strong winds, lightning, and thunderstorms. District authorities and disaster management teams are keeping a close watch on sensitive areas along the route and halting pilgrims at designated safe locations during adverse weather conditions. 

District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Rudraprayag Nandan Singh Rajwar said the unpredictable weather is creating major challenges.

 

“The alerts being issued every two hours are proving to be a threat to the Kedarnath pilgrimage, as there is a possibility of heavy rain and fog at any time,” Rajwar said.

 

To ensure safety, sector officers and security forces are regulating pilgrim movement. Pilgrims are being halted on the route during bad weather and allowed to move only when conditions improve.

 

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and district administration are also keeping a strict watch on aviation safety. Helicopter services are being grounded during poor visibility and bad weather and resumed only when conditions are safe.

 

Meanwhile, the Disaster Control Room in Rudraprayag is continuously monitoring the Kedarnath shrine, trekking routes, and other Yatra stop points. Rescue and relief teams have been kept on standby for any emergency.

 

In view of a heavy weekend rush due to the Char Dham Yatra, Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage, and summer holidays, Dehradun Police has issued a detailed traffic diversion plan for May 24.

 

Traffic is likely to increase sharply due to tourist inflow from the newly opened Delhi–Dehradun Expressway. The plan aims to reduce congestion on routes leading to Mussoorie, Rishikesh, Chakrata, and Char Dham routes.

 

Under the direction of the SSP Dehradun, the traffic system has been structured to ensure smooth movement. The traffic management plan divides the network into 4 super zones, 10 zones, and 19 sectors. A total of 130 police personnel have been deployed for traffic management. Two drone teams have also been assigned to monitor the Mussoorie route, Dehradun city, and key tourist spots.

Vehicles coming to Mussoorie from Delhi, Haryana, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, and Roorkee are being routed via Datkali, RTO Checkpost, Transport Nagar, ISBT, Shimla Bypass, Ballupur, Cantt, and Kuthal Gate. In case of heavy congestion, vehicles will be diverted via the Kimadi–Hathipaon Road route.

 

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