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Uttarakhand authorities have halted the Char Dham Yatra for 24 hours due to a heavy rain warning. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert, prompting officials to stop pilgrims in Haridwar. Garhwal Division Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey confirmed the suspension and instructed police and administration to ensure safety.
Those who have reached Rishikesh are being held there, while others on the route are being moved to safer areas until weather conditions improve. A red alert has been issued for some districts in Uttarakhand, indicating severe rainfall risks.
Weather Forecast and Alerts
The IMD predicts isolated heavy rains in Uttarakhand until June 4, with extremely heavy rainfall expected at certain locations on June 30. This forecast has led to precautionary measures being taken by local authorities.
A recent cloudburst in Uttarkashi has caused significant concern. Eight to nine workers went missing at a hotel construction site following this incident. The cloudburst also damaged the Barkot-Yamunotri Marg, as reported by ANI, citing District Magistrate Prashant Arya.
Rescue Operations Underway
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed his concerns over a landslide in Silai Band area of Barkot Tehsil, where several workers are reported missing. He stated that teams from SDRF and NDRF are actively involved in rescue operations and he remains in touch with relevant authorities.
The cloudburst near Paligad-Silai Band occurred around 2:12 pm last night. Initial alerts about the incident on the Yamunotri highway were received around midnight, according to Barkot police station SHO Deepak Kathait.
Impact on Infrastructure
Around eight to nine labourers of Nepali origin were swept away by heavy rains. Authorities received information about a landslide near Silai Band at approximately 3 am last night. Ten metres of the national highway have been washed out, requiring time for restoration efforts.
The cloudburst has led to road closures at multiple points along the highway, including Silai bend. Additionally, continuous rainfall has caused the Alaknanda River's water level to rise significantly.
Efforts are ongoing to manage the situation and ensure public safety amid these challenging weather conditions. The government is closely monitoring developments and coordinating with various agencies for effective response measures.
