Char Dham Yatra affected by landslides, heavy rain
Char Dham Yatra has been severely affected as heavy rains continued to lash the hilly states of North India. In fact, traffic disruption has taken place on the Char Dham Yatra route.
Four national highways and four hundred other routes connecting to the Char Dham Yatra have been closed in view of landslips and mudslides.
While rescue operations are in full swing to do all that it takes for clearing the roads, incessant rains have been acting as a constant hindrance.
As per reports, NH 58, the national highway between Rishikesh and Badrinath has been closed in Chamoli district.
Also, at the Rishikesh-Kedarnath National Highway (NH-109) traffic disruptions were observed due to multiple landslides. In Uttarkashi, both Rishikesh-Gangotri National Highway (NH-108) and Rishikesh-Yamunotri National Highway (NH-94) remained closed causing traffic woes.
As per Skymet Weather, during the next 24 hours, light to moderate rain will continue over the region. Around August 6 and 7, there may be some increase in Monsoon rains over these areas.
Updated on July 17, 2016 09:00 AM (IST): Char Dham Yatra disrupted due to flood-like situation in Uttarakhand
Frequent landlsides and torrential rains have halted the Char Dham Yatra. On Saturday, rising waters in the Bhagirathi damaged two bridges between Gaumukh and Gangotri. Thereafter, approximately 150 devotees were stranded while returning from Gaumukh.
Incessant heavy rains have triggered recurring landslides, blocking the National Highways leading to Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines. The Pilgrims on their way to Badrinath have been temporarily stopped. In the Chamoli district, the Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway (NH) 58 was blocked at Lambagad and Kanchan Gana. On the other hand, the Rishikesh-Kedarnath (NH 109) highway remained blocked between Sonprayag and Gaurikund.
As of now, the respective district administrations are taking precautionary measures for the safety of residents and pilgrims.
Also read, Relentless Uttarakhand Rains Claim 3 Lives; More Rains In Offing
Heavy showers are likely to continue in Uttarakhand during next 24 to 48 hours.
Updated on July 3, 2016 11:00 AM (IST): Char Dham Yatra suspended due to heavy rain, landslides in Uttarakhand
After incessant heavy rainfall brought life to standstill in Uttarakhand, the administration decided to suspend the Char Dham Yatra for the time being. The government seems to be more alert in view of the incident which occurred on June 2013, in Badrinath.
Rainfall is likely to decrease after 24 hours. However, the risk of landslides will remain.
Also read, Uttarakhand rains bring massive damage to life and property
Updated on June 29, 2016 12:33 PM (IST): Char Dham Yatra halted by heavy rains and landslides in Uttarakhand
The religiously famous Char Dham Yatra is in disruption once again. The seasonal pilgrimage route that normally opens for devotees from May to October has been blocked due to heavy rains and landslides in the hill state of Uttarakhand.
The roads en route to the pilgrimage include the Kedarnath and Badrinath highway at Nandprayag.
As reiterated by The Border Road Organization official, efforts are being made to clear up roads which would help in bringing the disturbed traffic back to path.
He further added that the organization is also trying its best to clear up these roads so that the pilgrims who are stranded at various places due to this block can get going.
Since most parts of the state have been observing moderate rains from past couple of days, the Meteorological Department, Uttarakhand has also warned a 72 hour alert against heavy rainfall that could begin from June 30. So far, most parts of the state have received moderate rainfall.
Click here to read the full story, Monsoon Rains in Uttarakhand Block Roads; Heavy Rain Alert Issued
Updated on May 29, 2016 5:30 PM (IST): Char Dham Yatra disrupted by cloudburst in Uttarakhand
Cloudburst in the Tehri district of Uttarakhand disrupted the Char Dham Yatra on Saturday. The cloudburst brought damage to life and property. It also blocked the highway to Kedarnath and affected hundreds of pilgrims.
Click here to read the full story, Cloudburst in Uttarakhand brings massive damage to life and property
Updated on May 25, 2016 1:30 PM (IST): Char Dham Yatra unaffected by rain in Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand
The Char Dham Yatra this year has witnessed a record footfall with more than 3.5 lakh pilgrims visiting the four shrines so far. According to media reports the maximum number of pilgrims from across the country had visited the Badrinath shrine, followed by the Gangotri shrine. Both Kedarnath and Yamunotri shrines also registered 50,000 pilgrims in the first fortnight since the yatra began on May 9.
Keeping in mind the sensitivity of the region in terms of weather conditions, the responsibility of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has also increased. Team and sub-teams of the SDRF have been deployed on 19 locations of the Char Dham route.
After a gap of about one week, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand received fairly widespread good rainfall on last Sunday. After May 16, none of the Western Disturbances were strong enough to bring good rainfall over the hills. Only isolated rains were being witnessed in the region.
The active Western Disturbance, which is now fading away, brought fairly widespread rainfall during last 48 hours. This is uncommon as active Western Disturbances during this time of the year are rare. By the month of March, such weather systems start travelling upwards, in the glaciers.
Scattered rainfall activity is likely over the hilly regions for another 24 hours. However, inclement weather conditions are not likely in the hills including the shrines of Badrinath, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Gangotri.
Updated on May 11, 2016 6:00 PM (IST): Char Dham Yatra continues unperturbed amidst light rain in Uttarakhand
The shrine of Badrinath has opened today for the pilgrims. The portals of Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri shrines in the Garhwal Himalayas were thrown open on the auspicious occasion of 'Akshaya Tritiya' festival.
Scattered light rains have occurred in Uttarakhand during last 24 hours. However, the pilgrims remained unaffected. Skymet predicts only light rainfall for the next 24 hours. However, there is fresh Western Disturbance stationed over North Pakistan. This weather system is approaching Jammu and Kashmir. Therefore, the intensity of rainfall could increase after about a day or so.
Updated on May 9, 2016 2:00 PM (IST): Char Dham Yatra begins in Uttarakhand amidst forecast of rain and snow
The shrines of Uttarakhand, better known as the Char Dham are widely revered by Hindus. After being closed for about six months, Yamnotri, Gangotri and Kedarnath will re-open today for the pilgrims. The shrine of Badrinath will open on May 11. This is due to the cloudburst and landslides over the region few days back. On May 25, the Sikh pilgrimage site of Hemkund Sahib will also open for the devotees.
The Char Dham Yatra traditionally comes to a halt after snow starts falling, sometime in November. All these places lie between 12000 and 15000 ft. above the sea level. Therefore, in case of inclement weather temperatures could dip to freezing levels even during this time of the year.
During the last few years, Uttarakhand has not received much rainfall in May. In 2013 the state received 18.2 mm against the monthly average of 65 mm. Next year saw 15.9 mm while in 2015 the state received 38 mm. Therefore, there are chances that Uttarakhand will receive good rains this year in May.
The year 2013 saw the worst natural disaster in the mountains after the tsunami of 2004. Just 2 days of rainfall escalated to a humongous scale. Uttarakhand is a weather sensitive zone owing to its terrain and immense caution needs to be taken over here.
Moreover, in the coming days the state will receive good rain and thundershowers. The hills of North India are heading for an extensive spell of pre-Monsoon activities. Thus, the higher reaches will remain vulnerable to rain and snow. We cannot rule out hailstorm activities as well. As of now, we can expect fairly good weather for next 48 hours.
Image credit - ntpindiatourism.com
Please Note: Any information picked from here must be attributed to skymetweather.com
