Char Dham yatra suspended

The pilgrims of Char Dham Yatra are stranded in Uttarakhand on Thursday with heavy downpour of rains and landslides in the hill state. The annual Hindu pilgrimage of Char Dham, which that takes devotees to Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines, is bought to a standstill until 18th of this month following heavy rains.

Landslides and intense rains have blocked the road connecting Kerdarnath-Gaurikund and the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. Officials said that a high alert alarm about the rainfall was sent in time and the devotees have been moved to safe locations.

The bridge constructed over river Saraswati in Rudraprayag last year, is washed away and 164 devotees returning from Kedarnath have taken refuge in government camp. The rivers Alaknanda and Mandakini have infringed the danger level marks due to torrential rains.

According to weather officials, there will be no reprieve from rains for the next 48hrs and grave rains are forecasted for most regions in the hill state. The government has warned pilgrims to keep themselves alert on the adverse weather conditions.

Uttarakand witnessed a distressing tragedy last year when thousands of Char Dham Yatra pilgrims lost their lives after being caught unaware in the flood.