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Time of India
a day ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Monsoon mayhem in U'khand: 65 dead in rain-related incidents in June, double last year's toll
Dehradun: At least 65 people died in June, the first month of this year's monsoon season in Uttarakhand, double the 32 deaths recorded during the same period last year, according to data from the state emergency operation centre. Of the 65 deaths, 45 were due to road accidents and 20 to natural disasters such as landslides and flash floods. Another 18 people are missing -- nine each due to road mishaps and natural calamities. Among the worst incidents was Thursday's accident in Rudraprayag, where a bus carrying Char Dham pilgrims plunged into the Alaknanda river after colliding with a speeding truck, killing five. Seven passengers are still missing with officials saying their chances of survival are slim. On Sunday, a cloudburst in Badkot area of Uttarkashi triggered a landslide that hit a labour camp, killing two construction workers. Seven others are still missing even as heavy rain continues in several parts of the state. The regional meteorological centre has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in nine districts for Monday. Experts say monsoon arrived slightly early this year and began with intense rainfall, triggering widespread landslides and slope failures. They also flagged ongoing road-widening works in the hills, which have destabilised slopes by leaving loose debris at mid-elevations. "Given the volume and intensity of the early monsoon rain, it was inevitable that this debris would come down," said Piyoosh Rautela, former executive director of Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA). Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh also reported similar slope failures. Geologists warn that the natural angle of repose – the steepest angle at which loose material can remain stable – has been disrupted, significantly increasing the risk of landslides and road collapses. Reacting to the 100% rise in fatalities from road accidents and natural disasters, Anoop Nautiyal, founder of Doon-based think-tank, SDC Foundation, said, "This rise in fatalities coincides with a 29% increase in Char Dham pilgrims, with 18.2 lakh visiting the shrines between June 1 and 28, up from 14.1 lakh last year," he said. Nautiyal stressed the need for a systemic response. "The state govt must stop treating each disaster in isolation. With the monsoon intensifying in July and Aug, what's needed is action, not just condolences and announcements," he said.
News18
02-06-2025
- Business
- News18
Kedarnath Yatra Generates Rs 200 Crore In A Month Despite 31% Decline In Char Dham Pilgrims
Last Updated: Despite a 31% decline in Char Dham Yatra pilgrims, Kedarnath saw a business boom, generating Rs 200 crore in a month, benefiting hotels, helicopter services, and horse operators Even as concerns mount over a 31 per cent decline in pilgrim footfall across Uttarakhand's Char Dham Yatra this year, the Kedarnath leg of the pilgrimage is witnessing a dramatic upswing in commercial activity, generating business worth an estimated Rs 200 crore in just one month. The Kedarnath Yatra officially began on May 2 with the ceremonial opening of the temple doors to devotees. Since then, over seven lakh pilgrims have braved the treacherous 20-kilometre mountainous trek to reach the revered 11th Jyotirlinga nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas. According to local estimates, the hotel industry has emerged as the biggest beneficiary of the pilgrimage, raking in nearly Rs 100 crore from bookings and stays. Helicopter services, which offer an aerial alternative to the grueling ascent, have brought in Rs 35 crore, ferrying around 33,000 devotees to Kedarnath by air as of May 31. Horse and mule operators, another critical cog in the pilgrimage wheel, have earned Rs 40.5 crore by transporting 1,39,444 pilgrims along the steep path. Further revenue has come from the state-run Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN), which has generated over Rs 3.8 crore through bookings of rest houses and the now-famous meditation cave, popularised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit in 2019. Meanwhile, the often-overlooked Dandi-Kandi services – manual palanquins used by those unable to make the trek – have witnessed a robust revival. With over 29,000 devotees availing these services, they have contributed Rs 1.16 crore to the local economy. More than 7,000 Dandi-Kandi operators are registered this year, highlighting the strong grassroots employment the Yatra continues to support. Yet, these record-breaking business numbers arrive against a backdrop of diminishing pilgrim presence across the broader Char Dham Yatra. According to a report by the Dehradun-based SDC Foundation, the Char Dham Yatra witnessed a 31% decline in pilgrim footfall during the first two weeks this year compared to the same period in 2024. As reported by PTI on May 15, a total of 6,62,446 pilgrims visited the temples of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri between April 30 and May 13 this year – down from 9,61,302 in the corresponding period last year. Head of the SDC Foundation, Anoop Nautiyal, attributed this steep fall of nearly three lakh pilgrims to military escalations between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack in April. 'The military escalation between India and Pakistan in recent weeks has undoubtedly impacted public sentiment and travel confidence. There has been a slowdown in inter-state pilgrim movement, especially from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and parts of Rajasthan," PTI reported Nautiyal as saying. 'The Char Dham Yatra, being highly dependent on interstate mobility and group travel, has been directly affected," he added. Despite the decline, Nautiyal expressed cautious optimism that the Yatra could regain momentum in the second half of May and early June. 'Last year's data trends showed that the yatra typically peaks during the second fortnight of May and the first fortnight of June. With security conditions expected to stabilise between the two countries, we foresee a surge in footfall in the latter half of the month," he reportedly said. He also urged the Uttarakhand government to act decisively to boost pilgrim confidence. 'We need a similar proactive response in Uttarakhand," he said, citing how the Vaishno Devi Shrine Board had successfully launched awareness campaigns, strengthened on-ground facilities, and reassured pilgrims through targeted messaging. The SDC Foundation has further called for urgent implementation of recommendations made in its 2024 report, 'Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra: Pathways to Pilgrimage – Data, Insights, Challenges and Opportunities'. 'We had called for clear protocols on carrying capacity, crowd regulation, environmental safeguards, and real-time communication. Unfortunately, many of these remain unaddressed," Nautiyal noted. First Published: June 02, 2025, 17:36 IST
Economic Times
09-05-2025
- Economic Times
Char Dham Yatra sees 26% dip in pilgrims in first week, but officials attribute it to better planning
Char Dham Yatra Sees 26% Dip in Pilgrims in First Week The Char Dham Yatra, one of India's most important pilgrimages, has seen a 26% drop in the number of pilgrims during its first week this year. Since the yatra began on 30 April, around 2.9 lakh devotees have visited the four shrines, nearly 1 lakh fewer than the 3.9 lakh who came during the same period in say this decline is actually a result of better planning. To stop overcrowding in the early days, the government started online registration 40 days before the yatra and delayed offline registration until just a few days before the start. Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj said that this year, online registration began on 20 March, much earlier than usual. Aadhaar verification was made compulsory, and all documents were properly checked before pilgrims were allowed to move forward. He added that more offline booking counters were set up this year, which also helped manage the of the Doon-based SDC Foundation Anoop Nautiyal said the drop in numbers is also because of the staggered opening of the shrines. In 2024, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri opened on 10 May, and Badrinath on 12 May. But this year, Yamunotri and Gangotri opened on 30 April, Kedarnath on 2 May, and Badrinath on 4 May. This spread-out schedule has led to a slower build-up of pilgrims. Nautiyal said the number of visitors is likely to increase later in May, especially during the summer holidays. He also urged the government to treat the yatra as a sacred and environmentally sensitive event, not just a tourist attraction. 'It needs careful planning and respect,' he far, more than 25 lakh people have registered for this year's yatra: 8.7 lakh for Kedarnath, 7.8 lakh for Badrinath, 4.5 lakh for Gangotri, and 4.1 lakh for Yamunotri. Inputs from TOI
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Time of India
Char Dham yatra sees 26% dip in pilgrim footfall in opening week, officials credit ‘improved planning' to prevent overcrowding
Dehradun: The Char Dham yatra has seen a 26% drop in pilgrim footfall within a week of its start (on April 30), compared to the same period last year. By Tuesday, 2.9 lakh devotees had visited the four Himalayan shrines, down from 3.9 lakh in 2024, a decline of nearly 1 lakh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials attributed the dip to "improved planning and staggered registration", which helped streamline the pilgrim flow. To avoid overcrowding during the initial days, the govt opened online registration 40 days before the yatra began, while offline registration started just a few days before the annual pilgrimage commenced. State tourism minister Satpal Maharaj said that following last year's experience, online registration was launched on March 20, well ahead of the start date. Further, Aadhaar verification was made mandatory and documents were "thoroughly checked before pilgrims were allowed to proceed." "We opened more offline booking counters and as a result of proper planning, we were able to prevent overcrowding," said the minister. Commenting on the drop in numbers, Anoop Nautiyal, founder of Doon-based think-tank, SDC Foundation, said, "The decline can be largely attributed to the staggered opening schedule this year. In 2024, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri opened on May 10, while Badrinath opened on May 12. In contrast, this year, Kedarnath opened on May 2, after the portals of Yamunotri and Gangotri opened on April 30, followed by Badrinath on May 4. This has contributed to a slower and more scattered build-up of pilgrim momentum." He added that despite the slow start, the yatra is expected to peak in the latter half of May, based on trends observed last year, when summer vacations begin and more pilgrims arrive. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We urge the govt and all stakeholders to treat this pilgrimage not just as a tourism event, but as a spiritually sacred and environmentally-delicate exercise, one that requires balance, planning, and foresight," Nautiyal said. As of Wednesday, over 25 lakh people had registered for the yatra: 8.7 lakh for Kedarnath, 7.8 lakh for Badrinath, 4.5 lakh for Gangotri, and 4.1 lakh for Yamunotri. Dehradun: The Char Dham yatra has seen a 26% drop in pilgrim footfall within a week of its start (on April 30), compared to the same period last year. By Tuesday, 2.9 lakh devotees had visited the four Himalayan shrines, down from 3.9 lakh in 2024, a decline of nearly 1 lakh. Officials attributed the dip to "improved planning and staggered registration", which helped streamline the pilgrim flow. To avoid overcrowding during the initial days, the govt opened online registration 40 days before the yatra began, while offline registration started just a few days before the annual pilgrimage commenced. State tourism minister Satpal Maharaj said that following last year's experience, online registration was launched on March 20, well ahead of the start date. Further, Aadhaar verification was made mandatory and documents were "thoroughly checked before pilgrims were allowed to proceed." "We opened more offline booking counters and as a result of proper planning, we were able to prevent overcrowding," said the minister. Commenting on the drop in numbers, Anoop Nautiyal, founder of Doon-based think-tank, SDC Foundation, said, "The decline can be largely attributed to the staggered opening schedule this year. In 2024, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri opened on May 10, while Badrinath opened on May 12. In contrast, this year, Kedarnath opened on May 2, after the portals of Yamunotri and Gangotri opened on April 30, followed by Badrinath on May 4. This has contributed to a slower and more scattered build-up of pilgrim momentum." He added that despite the slow start, the yatra is expected to peak in the latter half of May, based on trends observed last year, when summer vacations begin and more pilgrims arrive. "We urge the govt and all stakeholders to treat this pilgrimage not just as a tourism event, but as a spiritually sacred and environmentally-delicate exercise, one that requires balance, planning, and foresight," Nautiyal said. As of Wednesday, over 25 lakh people had registered for the yatra: 8.7 lakh for Kedarnath, 7.8 lakh for Badrinath, 4.5 lakh for Gangotri, and 4.1 lakh for Yamunotri.
