The effects of deteriorating weather are being strongly felt along the Kedarnath Dham route. Following the announcement of a two-day orange alert in Uttarakhand,
warning against heavy rain, thundersqualls, hailstorms, and lightning across the districts of Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, and Pithoragarh, authorities have moved into high-alert mode, closely tracking conditions across the route right up to the shrine. The unfavourable weather has also led helicopter services to be temporarily suspended - not just for the Kedarnath Dham, but also across key points including Phata, Sonprayag, Sersi and Guptkashi. The administration has doubled down on ensuring pilgrim safety with sector magistrates, DDRF teams and police personnel deployed and on standby for the same. Additionally, seeing the dropping temperatures, pilgrims have been asked to be extra cautious in their travels and keep checking in on real-time weather updates.
A Word from the Authorities
Speaking exclusively to ANI, Nandan Singh Rajwar, District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) affirmed that authorities are continually monitoring the situation right through to the second day of the orange alert. He said: "Sector magistrates and nodal officers deployed along the route are providing regular updates. Necessary actions are being taken at sensitive locations and pilgrims are being made aware to stay cautious. Helicopter services are being halted whenever weather conditions deteriorate."Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vishal Mishra, earlier today, doubled down on the strict security measures put in place for ease of travel and safety of the devotees undertaking the Kedarnath Dham Yatra. Speaking to ANI, he shared: "CM Dhami's instructions are that the pilgrims coming for the Kedarnath Dham Yatra should not face any inconvenience and the security arrangements should be foolproof. It has come to our notice that some people, disguised as sadhus, are working as anti-social elements there and may create unrest."
Shedding light on a deeper layer of safety, he also spoke of 'Operation Kalanemi', targeting suspicious individuals: "In such a situation, I have directed the district police to conduct Operation Kalanemi and verify all the suspicious individuals. If any evidence is found against anyone, strict action should be taken against them so that peace, law and order can be maintained there, and the people coming there do not have to face any inconvenience."
The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand tends to take place between late April to early May, going right up to the October-November stretch of the year. The dates of Akshaya Tritiya and Diwali are significant here as the start and end points. This year, the stretch happens to be from mid-April, right up till November 13.
