&w=3840&q=100)
Char Dham Yatra: 24-hour ban lifted, weather conditions being monitored
The 24-hour suspension of the Char Dham Yatra, issued on June 29 as a precautionary measure following heavy rain and adverse weather conditions in Uttarakhand, was lifted on Monday morning.
Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey told news agency ANI that district magistrates across the Char Dham route have been directed to monitor weather conditions and halt vehicles as required to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
The yatra was temporarily halted after a cloudburst near Silai Band on the Barkot–Yamunotri road in Uttarkashi district caused severe damage to a hotel construction site and triggered a massive landslide.
Two dead, seven missing after landslide
The landslide near Barkot claimed the lives of two workers and left seven others missing. The deceased have been identified as 43-year-old Kewal Bisht from Karmamohani, Rajapur District in Nepal, and 55-year-old Duje Lal from Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh.
The incident occurred in the Baligarh area, severely disrupting the Yamunotri route. Rescue efforts are underway, with teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police engaged in search operations.
Infrastructure repairs in progress
Officials confirmed that repair work on the landslide-affected Barkot–Yamunotri road had been completed by June 29. Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya said the washout near Silai Band was restored to ensure safe passage, and additional restoration efforts are in progress along other damaged stretches.
The 33 KV power line in the affected area has also been restored, while work is underway to repair the 11 KV power line to fully stabilise the region's infrastructure.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
4 hours ago
- India Gazette
J-K: Chenab River water level rises due to heavy rainfall; Reasi admin issues alert
Reasi (J&K) [India] June 30 (ANI): Water level of the Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir has been rising steadily due to incessant rainfall over the past five to six days, prompting the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and local administration to issue advisories. As a precautionary measure, river rafting activities have been suspended, and the authorities are monitoring the situation. Residents living in low-lying areas along the Chenab River, including Talwada, Kansi Patta, Thanpal, Chinka, Gujrkothi, and Jendi, have been alerted about the rising water level. The administration is conducting patrols and advising people to stay away from the riverbank and keep their cattle at a safe distance. Earlier today, authorities opened multiple spillway gates of the Salal Dam in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district as the water levels went up in the Chenab River Officials have issued advisories urging locals to stay away from the riverbanks and follow all safety instructions. The gates were opened to discharge excess water and prevent any possible flooding downstream safely. On Monday, while speaking to ANI, Ashiq Hussain, an officer in the control room in Reasi, said, 'Look, as you know, it has been raining a lot for five to six days, and the Chenab water is also increasing due to that rain. The NHPC, as well as the administration, has also issued an advisory that the Chenab water is increasing, and the river rafting that used to take place here has been closed for a long time. It will persist till the next order is issued.' 'We are alerting people living in areas along the Chenab River, such as Talwada, Kansi Patta, Thanpal, Chinka, Gujrkothi, and Jendi, to exercise caution. We are sending messages to these areas, advising people to stay away from the riverbank and keep their cattle at a safe distance. Due to the heavy rainfall, the water level in the drains is also rising. Due to this, we are telling people through patrolling not to go to the banks of the river.' Hussain said. According to a prior report, Heavy rainfall across parts of Jammu and Kashmir led to a rise in the water level of the Chenab River, causing an overflow at the Baglihar Hydroelectric Power Project. Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Shridhar Patil, acknowledged the situation and urged people to stay away from rivers and overflowing streams. DIG Patil told ANI, 'All of you must have noticed that the water level has risen in the Chenab River. One incident has also come to our notice in the Doda district, in which some people have lost their lives. I appeal to all people not to go near the rivers... The water level is very high. Do not put yourself at risk.' The opening of the gates comes amid a sensitive geopolitical backdrop. Just last month, the gates of the Salal Dam had been kept closed following heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, after the Pahalgam terror attack. India had put the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance as an immediate response to the 'barbaric' attack, as part of a broader policy shift announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under 'Operation Sindoor.' One of the gates was briefly opened last month to manage overflow due to increased water levels from rainfall, but operations at the dam were largely kept under tight control due to the ongoing diplomatic tensions. Earlier in May, the Baglihar Dam, located on the Chenab, was forced to open its gates on May 8 due to intense rainfall. The coordinated dam management has so far helped avoid major flooding incidents. (ANI)
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Char Dham yatra resumes after 24-hr ban
Dehradun: The Char Dham yatra, which had been suspended on Sunday following a heavy rain alert, resumed on Monday. Garhwal division commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said, "The 24-hour ban on the Char Dham yatra has been lifted. However, district officials along the travel route have been instructed to halt vehicles in their respective districts based on weather conditions. " Meanwhile, public works department (PWD) secretary Pankaj Pandey wrote to employees of the department, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO), asking them to follow certain guidelines during the monsoon season. He instructed the authorities concerned to identify landslide-prone areas and make necessary arrangements such as earthmovers and deploy manpower at these locations to promptly clear roads blocked by landslides. "All executing agency officials/employees will coordinate with the local administration and leave for personnel will be approved only after the district magistrate's approval in emergency situations. All executing agency officials/employees will be technically available (via satellite phone, mobile, etc.) and will share relief work through email, WhatsApp groups, departmental portals, etc.," the letter stated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The letter also mentioned that narrow roads and weak bridges should be identified, and measures for their safety or repair should be taken in advance by the competent authority. "It has come to notice that all engineers/personnel remain in their offices/divisional offices, whereas it is necessary to be in the field during the monsoon period. Therefore, during the monsoon period, all officers and employees will remain in their respective work areas, i.e., assistant engineers/additional assistant engineers/junior engineers will stay in their allocated area routes," the letter stated. This year over 35 lakh pilgrims have undertaken the annual pilgrimage so far. Out of these, 13 lakh pilgrims have gone to Kedarnath, 10.8 lakh to Badrinath, 5.6 lakh to Gangotri and 5.5 lakh to the Yamunotri shrine.
India Gazette
8 hours ago
- India Gazette
Uttarkashi SP inspects landslide zones on Yamunotri NH, reviews safety measures amid heavy rains
Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) [India], June 30 (ANI): Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police (SP) Sarita Dobhal on Monday inspected the landslide-affected areas along the Yamunotri National Highway and reviewed the safety measures in place to manage the situation. 'SP Uttarkashi Sarita Dobhal inspected various landslide zones on the Yamunotri National Highway and reviewed and assessed the safety management today, ' posted Uttarkashi Police, Uttarakhand on X. Earlier in the day, the Yamunotri National Highway was blocked at two places between Silai Band and Ojri due to parts of the road being washed out, according to officials. In a post on X, Uttarkashi Police wrote, 'The Yamunotri National Highway is blocked at two places between Silai Band and Ojri due to some parts of the highway being washed out. It may take time to restore the route.' The police further stated that the highway between Brahmkal and Mahargaon was also blocked due to debris. According to the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the average rainfall recorded in Tehri Garhwal on Sunday was 79.2 mm. Heavy rain disrupted the electricity supply in Agrakhaal, Chamba, Jakhindhar, and Dughamandar areas. The water supply was also affected in the Chamba block. Meanwhile, officials stated that the 24-hour suspension of the Char Dham Yatra has been lifted. The ban was imposed following a heavy rain alert. The Yatra was suspended after a cloudburst near Barkot triggered a massive landslide, killing two workers and leaving seven others missing. Earlier, the Barkot-Yamunotri road in Uttarkashi district, which had been damaged by a landslide, was repaired. However, search operations for the missing individuals are still underway. Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed to ANI that 'repairs have been completed on the washout before Silai Band, and that efforts are ongoing to restore other damaged portions of the road.' 'The washout that happened due to a cloud burst before Silai Band on the Barkot-Yamunotri road of the district has been repaired and the road has been made smooth, while the work of making the other washout smooth is going on,' Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya said. (ANI)
