Snowfall, Rain Disrupt Uttarakhand; Gangotri Highway Shut
Snowfall shuts Gangotri highway as rain hits Uttarakhand districts
The Gangotri highway in Uttarakhand has been shut due to heavy snowfall, disrupting access to the high‑altitudinal region even as rain lashes at least seven districts in the state, triggering traffic and travel advisories. The closure comes amid a late‑winter spell of precipitation that has blanketed the upper reaches of the Gangotri–Harsil corridor, forcing authorities to temporarily block the Uttarkashi–Gangotri stretch for safety reasons.
According to local reports and weather updates, heavy snowfall has piled up along the road beyond Harsil, creating difficult driving conditions and the risk of slips and snow‑related blockages. Restoration and de‑snowing crews are on standby, but opening the section depends on the intensity and duration of the ongoing snowfall as well as temperature fluctuations that govern snow‑melt and road visibility.
At the same time, lower‑elevation and central parts of Uttarakhand, including key districts such as Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri, Chamoli, Nainital and Almora, have been experiencing spells of rain and thundery showers, which have caused waterlogging on some roads and reduced visibility. Local civic and transport authorities have issued alerts to drivers, advising them to slow down, avoid night travel on hilly routes, and check for fresh advisories before heading out, especially towards the Gangotri and Yamunotri belts.
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The seasonal closure–cum‑disruption along the Gangotri route is not unusual, as the corridor typically remains fully operational only during the main Chardham‑yatra window between April and October‑November, when snow‑melt has cleared the passes. March falls in a grey zone where snow and rain can still combine to block high‑altitude roads, and officials routinely warn pilgrims and tourists not to attempt these routes outside the officially declared open‑season.
For now, the temporary shutdown of the Gangotri highway, overlaid with rain in multiple districts, has tightened travel constraints in the state, prompting calls for caution among residents, motorists and prospective pilgrims aiming to reach the holy shrines. Uttarakhand disaster‑management and highway agencies are monitoring the situation closely, with updates expected as weather stabilises and de‑snowing and repair work progresses along the snow‑bound sections.
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