The Uttarakhand government on Monday temporarily suspended the Char Dham Yatra after heavy rainfall, weather alerts and landslides disrupted several pilgrimage routes across the state. Authorities said the precautionary move was taken to ensure the safety of pilgrims travelling to the Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. The decision came after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued red and orange alerts for parts of Uttarakhand, warning of adverse weather conditions.

Continuous rainfall triggered landslides at multiple locations, affecting road connectivity and creating challenges for the movement of thousands of devotees undertaking the annual pilgrimage. A government spokesperson said the yatra had been stopped temporarily due to the prevailing weather and road conditions. “The safety of pilgrims is our highest priority,” the official said, adding that the pilgrimage would resume only after routes are inspected and declared safe for travel.

The suspension applies to pilgrim movement on routes leading to all four major shrines under the Char Dham circuit — Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Officials said no further movement would be permitted until authorities complete assessments of affected roads and confirm that travel conditions have improved. The Garhwal Commissioner has directed district magistrates and local officials in affected areas to ensure that pilgrims already travelling on the routes are provided accommodation and assistance at secure locations.

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Authorities have been instructed to prevent further movement towards the shrines until road safety checks are completed. The Char Dham Yatra, one of India’s most significant religious pilgrimages, attracts lakhs of devotees every year. The route passes through the Himalayan terrain, where weather conditions can change rapidly and heavy rainfall often increases the risk of landslides, road blockages and travel disruptions.

Despite periodic weather-related challenges during the current pilgrimage season, the yatra has witnessed a strong response from devotees. Officials have continued to monitor weather conditions and infrastructure along the routes to manage the movement of pilgrims and minimise risks. Uttarakhand authorities have urged pilgrims and visitors to follow official advisories and avoid travelling through affected areas until conditions improve. Emergency teams and local administrations are monitoring vulnerable locations and working to restore normal movement wherever possible.

The temporary suspension is expected to remain in place until weather conditions stabilise and affected routes are cleared. Officials said the decision to restart the pilgrimage will be taken after reviewing ground conditions and ensuring that roads are safe for devotees. With the monsoon season bringing increased weather risks in the Himalayan region, authorities have emphasised that safety measures will continue to take priority over uninterrupted pilgrimage movement. The administration is expected to provide further updates as restoration work progresses and weather conditions change.

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