Latest news with #GarhwalDivision
India Gazette
19 hours ago
- India Gazette
Uttarakhand: Char Dham Yatra suspended for 24 hours amid heavy rain alert
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], June 29 (ANI): The Char Dham Yatra has been suspended for the next 24 hours following a heavy rain alert, officials said on Sunday. While speaking to ANI, Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said that the pilgrimage had been halted temporarily as a precautionary measure. 'I have given instructions to the police and administration officials to stop the pilgrims in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Sonprayag and Vikasnagar,' Pandey told. The suspension followed a cloudburst that hit Silai Band on the Barkot-Yamunotri road in Uttarkashi district, leaving as many as nine workers missing at an under-construction hotel site. Meanwhile, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed that the cloudburst in Baligarh, along the Barkot-Yamunotri Marg, caused severe damage to the hotel construction site. 'Eight-nine workers staying at this under-construction hotel site are missing,' Arya stated, adding that the Yamunotri route has also been severely impacted. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Police were immediately dispatched to the site, and search and rescue operations were underway. Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of Disaster Management for Uttarakhand, also confirmed the incident and said the government was closely monitoring the situation. Suman added that necessary instructions had been passed to ensure the safety of pilgrims and residents in the region. Continuous rainfall on Saturday caused severe disruptions across Uttarakhand, including blockage of the National Highway near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. In a post on the social media platform X, Chamoli Police Uttarakhand stated, 'The Badrinath National Highway is blocked near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. Work is underway to open the road.' The National Highway near Nandprayag is a critical route for pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath, making the clearance of the road a priority. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has appealed to the public to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel on Saturday, due to the forecasted heavy rainfall in the state's hilly and some plain areas over the next 24 hours. (ANI)
The Hindu
19 hours ago
- The Hindu
Char Dham Yatra suspended for 24 hours amid heavy rain alert in Uttarakhand
'The Char Dham Yatra has been suspended for the next 24 hours following a heavy rain alert,' officials said on Sunday (June 29, 2025.) While speaking to ANI, Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said that the pilgrimage had been halted temporarily as a precautionary measure. "I have given instructions to the police and administration officials to stop the pilgrims in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Sonprayag and Vikasnagar," Mr. Pandey told. The suspension followed a cloudburst that hit Silai Band on the Barkot-Yamunotri road in Uttarkashi district, leaving as many as nine workers missing at an under-construction hotel site. Meanwhile, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed that the cloudburst in Baligarh, along the Barkot-Yamunotri Marg, caused severe damage to the hotel construction site. After series of accidents, DGCA to review Char Dham yatra helicopter operations "Eight-nine workers staying at this under-construction hotel site are missing," Mr. Arya stated, adding that the Yamunotri route has also been severely impacted. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Police were immediately dispatched to the site, and search and rescue operations were under way. Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of Disaster Management for Uttarakhand, also confirmed the incident and said the government was closely monitoring the situation. Mr. Suman added that necessary instructions had been passed to ensure the safety of pilgrims and residents in the region. Continuous rainfall on Saturday (June 28, 2025) caused severe disruptions across Uttarakhand, including blockage of the National Highway near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. In a post on the social media platform X, Chamoli Police Uttarakhand stated, 'The Badrinath National Highway is blocked near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. Work is under way to open the road. 'The National Highway near Nandprayag is a critical route for pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath, making the clearance of the road a priority.' Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has appealed to the public to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel on Saturday (June 28, 2025), owing to the forecasted heavy rainfall in the State's hilly areas and some plain areas over the next 24 hours.
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Cloudburst, heavy rains wreak havoc in Uttarakhand: Char Dham yatra halted, workers missing, landslides hit highways
Relief work ongoing after landslide in Uttarakhand (Image: Uttarakhand Police) DEHRADUN: A devastating cloudburst in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi triggered widespread damage and chaos. leaving several workers missing, landslide and disrupting key pilgrimage routes in Uttarakhand. In the aftermath, the state government on Sunday suspended the Char Dham Yatra for 24 hours, citing a heavy rain alert and continuing weather-related risks. The incident has also led to blockages on crucial stretches of the Badrinath and Yamunotri highways, stranding pilgrims and prompting emergency response efforts. Yatra halted amid safety concerns Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed that the Char Dham Yatra had been paused as a precautionary measure. 'I have given instructions to the police and administration officials to stop the pilgrims in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Sonprayag and Vikasnagar,' he told ANI. Nine workers missing after cloudburst The cloudburst struck Silai Band on the Barkot–Yamunotri road late Saturday, triggering flash floods. The deluge caused severe damage to an under-construction hotel site at Baligarh, where 8-9 labourers were staying. All of them are currently reported missing. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Woman Discovers Buried Bunker in Her Garden, Then Sees the Reason Crowdy Fan Undo Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed the incident, adding that the Yamunotri route had also sustained significant damage. Over 40,000 cut off as 72 roads blocked across Kumaon Heavy rain on Saturday triggered widespread disruption across Uttarakhand, blocking 72 roads and cutting off over 40,000 people in the Kumaon region. Multiple villages were plunged into darkness due to snapped power lines, and emergency restoration efforts are underway in the worst-hit districts — Chamoli, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh. Authorities have also imposed a night travel ban on Char Dham highways to minimise risks from potential landslides and muckslides. The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) has warned of more rainfall across several districts on Sunday and Monday, based on IMD forecasts. Read more: 72 roads blocked, 40k people cut off Landslides block Badrinath Highway Heavy overnight rainfall led to landslides that blocked the Badrinath National Highway near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. The route is vital for pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines, prompting urgent restoration efforts. Chamoli Police posted on X, 'The Badrinath National Highway is blocked near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. Work is underway to open the road.' Yamunotri route also affected In addition to the Badrinath highway, the Yamunotri Marg has been heavily impacted by flood debris and road damage. Pilgrimage to Yamunotri has been disrupted, and traffic movement remains restricted as a result of the cloudburst. Additionally, Landslide also occured at the Yamunotri highway washing away 10-12 meter of the path. "Heavy landslide in Silai Band on Yamunotri Highway due to excessive rainfall. 9 workers missing, 10 rescued and safely evacuated. 10-12 meter section of the highway washed away. NDRF, and police are engaged in relief and rescue operations," said the Uttarakhand police in a statement. Rescue operations in full swing Search and rescue operations were launched immediately by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and local police. Efforts are underway to locate the missing workers and secure the affected zones. Disaster response on high alert Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of Disaster Management, said the government is closely monitoring the situation. 'All departments have been directed to remain on standby and take necessary measures for the safety of residents and pilgrims,' he said, quoted by ANI. CM Dhami urges public caution Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appealed to citizens to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel. 'Given the forecast of heavy rainfall in hilly and some plain areas of the state, people are advised to stay alert,' he said. Weather forecast remains grim The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall across several parts of Uttarakhand over the next 24 hours. Authorities are maintaining high alert across districts vulnerable to flash floods and landslides. Authorities urge restraint In view of the evolving situation, authorities have asked pilgrims and locals to avoid venturing into landslide-prone zones and to follow official advisories. Restoration of blocked highways remains a priority.
Hindustan Times
20 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Uttarakhand: Char Dham Yatra suspended for 24 hours amid heavy rain alert
The Char Dham Yatra has been suspended for the next 24 hours following a heavy rain alert, officials said on Sunday. Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said that the pilgrimage had been halted temporarily as a precautionary measure.(PTI) While speaking to ANI, Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said that the pilgrimage had been halted temporarily as a precautionary measure. "I have given instructions to the police and administration officials to stop the pilgrims in Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Sonprayag and Vikasnagar," Pandey told. The suspension followed a cloudburst that hit Silai Band on the Barkot-Yamunotri road in Uttarkashi district, leaving as many as nine workers missing at an under-construction hotel site. Meanwhile, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya confirmed that the cloudburst in Baligarh, along the Barkot-Yamunotri Marg, caused severe damage to the hotel construction site. "Eight-nine workers staying at this under-construction hotel site are missing," Arya stated, adding that the Yamunotri route has also been severely impacted. Rescue teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the Police were immediately dispatched to the site, and search and rescue operations were underway. Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of Disaster Management for Uttarakhand, also confirmed the incident and said the government was closely monitoring the situation. Suman added that necessary instructions had been passed to ensure the safety of pilgrims and residents in the region. Continuous rainfall on Saturday caused severe disruptions across Uttarakhand, including blockage of the National Highway near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. In a post on the social media platform X, Chamoli Police Uttarakhand stated, "The Badrinath National Highway is blocked near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. Work is underway to open the road." The National Highway near Nandprayag is a critical route for pilgrims travelling to Kedarnath, making the clearance of the road a priority. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had appealed to the public to remain cautious and avoid unnecessary travel on Saturday, due to the forecasted heavy rainfall in the state's hilly and some plain areas over the next 24 hours.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
20 hours ago
- Climate
- Business Standard
Char Dham Yatra suspended for 24 hours amid heavy rain alert in Uttarakhand
The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has been suspended for 24 hours as a precautionary measure in response to a heavy rain alert and adverse weather conditions. Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey told news agency ANI that instructions had been issued to halt pilgrims at key transit points including Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Sonprayag and Vikasnagar. The decision follows a cloudburst near Silai Band on the Barkot–Yamunotri road in Uttarkashi district, which caused severe damage to an under-construction hotel site. As many as nine workers have been reported missing, according to Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya. Arya stated that the cloudburst occurred in the Baligarh area, severely impacting the Yamunotri route. Search and rescue operations are being carried out by teams from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and the local police. Government monitoring, safety measures in place Uttarakhand Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman confirmed the incident and said the government is closely monitoring the situation. He added that necessary directions had been issued to ensure the safety of both pilgrims and residents in affected regions. Road closures impact access to pilgrimage sites Heavy rainfall on Saturday also disrupted road access across the state. In Chamoli, the Badrinath National Highway was blocked near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. 'Work is underway to open the road,' Chamoli Police posted on X. The highway is a vital link for pilgrims en route to Kedarnath and Badrinath, making its clearance a priority for authorities. Uttarakhand CM urges caution Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary travel over the next 24 hours, especially in hilly and vulnerable areas of the state. The India Meteorological Department has issued alerts for continued heavy rainfall in both mountainous and low-lying regions. Helicopter safety on Yatra route under scrutiny The Char Dham Yatra has also seen a string of helicopter incidents this year, raising concerns about aviation safety on the route. The most recent tragedy occurred on June 15, when a chopper operated by Aryan Aviation Pvt Ltd crashed near Guptkashi while returning from Kedarnath, killing all seven people on board. It marked the fifth helicopter incident on the pilgrimage route in 2025.
