IMD Issues Orange Alert: Char Dham Yatra Halted Due to Heavy Rainfall

On Monday, the Char Dham Yatra to Kedarnath was halted in Uttarakhand due to strong winds, heavy rain, and snowfall, but pilgrimages to Gangotri, Yamunotri, Hemkund Sahib, and Badrinath went on as usual.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, and Kashmir on the 24th and 25th of May as torrential rain engulfed the northern section of India.

Heavy Rainfall Has Been Forecast Over Northern Hills

"We have kept an orange level warning in the highlands like Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir since the convection is higher today," Senior Scientist RK Jenamani told a news agency. Whenever there is an isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall for three consecutive days, an orange alert is issued.

Snow had previously fallen in the higher regions, such as Dhauladhar and others.

After the situation improved, the orange alert for Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana was changed to a yellow warning, according to officials.

The Char Dham Yatra to Kedarnath has been halted because of severe rains.

The district administration halted the pilgrimage to the Kedarnath shrine in Rudraprayag, citing the pilgrims' safety.

Due to the severe rain, pilgrims who have arrived in Ukhimath, Sonprayag, and Gaurikund have been instructed to stay there until further notice, according to district disaster management officer NK Rajwar. Since winds, thunderstorms, and lightning pose a risk to them on their approach to Kedarnath.

Over 10,000 pilgrims had gathered to watch the yatra resume. "We were planning on going to Kedarnath, but the administration refused due to severe rains so, we remained in a guesthouse in Rudraprayag," said Vimla Shekhawat, a Rajasthani pilgrim.