Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra Suspended Amid Widespread Rainfall and Landslides
Heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand has forced the temporary suspension of the Char Dham Yatra, with key routes to Kedarnath and Badrinath obstructed by landslides and falling debris. A yellow alert has been issued for the entire state by the meteorological department, with intense downpours and thunderstorms expected to persist. Authorities are racing to clear blocked roads, restore connectivity to isolated villages, and monitor further weather impacts amid escalating monsoon-related disruptions.
Widespread rainfall has caused significant disruption across Uttarakhand, prompting the suspension of the Char Dham Yatra and blocking major highways. The Badrinath Highway remains inaccessible near Nandprayag and Umatta due to repeated landslides, while the Yamunotri route has been closed for nearly a week, isolating multiple villages. Authorities reported that more than two dozen settlements have lost access to tehsil and district headquarters. In Rudraprayag, falling debris in the Munkatia Sliding Zone has also rendered the Kedarnath route impassable. In Chamoli and Uttarkashi, landslides have damaged roads and pedestrian pathways in numerous hamlets. Despite active clearance work, officials said road conditions remain unstable due to continuous rainfall. Meanwhile, preparations in Rishikesh for the upcoming Kawad Yatra continue, with teams clearing roadside encroachments. With the mountain regions experiencing unrelenting showers, road connectivity, religious pilgrimages, and public safety remain major concerns. Emergency teams have been deployed to expedite recovery operations in affected zones.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for the state from July 3 to 7, forecasting heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning in isolated and widespread areas. Dehradun, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Tehri, Pauri, and Nainital are among the districts expected to face persistent rain. Officials have warned that conditions could worsen if the rain continues at current intensity, raising the risk of flash floods and additional landslides. Multiple stretches along the Badrinath and Kedarnath routes remain vulnerable to rockfalls and mudslides, delaying both pilgrim movement and essential supply transport. Authorities are closely monitoring high-risk zones, with continuous updates being shared via local communication channels. Emergency services remain on standby, and visitors have been advised to postpone non-essential travel to hill areas. The state’s priority remains the safety of travellers and reconnecting stranded villages as work progresses across multiple landslide-affected points.
As Uttarakhand grapples with intensified monsoon activity, road connectivity and public safety are under pressure. The temporary halt to the Char Dham Yatra highlights the severity of the disruptions, especially in vulnerable hill regions. With a yellow alert in place and rain forecast for the coming days, officials are focusing on rapid road clearance, village reconnection, and ensuring safety for those in high-risk zones. While the spiritual journey remains paused, the state’s infrastructure and disaster response teams are mobilised to manage ongoing risks and stabilise conditions across impacted districts until the weather situation improves.
