Rain, snow in Kedarnath Dham prompts Govt to issue weather alert for pilgrims

The Uttarakhand government on Sunday issued a weather alert for pilgrims because of the intermittent rain and snowfall that is continuing in Kedarnath Dham.

Devotees have been requested to be careful and start their yatra after taking the weather forecast into account.

“It may be noted that intermittent rain and snowfall continue in Kedarnath Dham. All the devotees coming to Kedarnath Dham from the country and abroad have been informed by the government to check the weather forecast before going to Kedarnath Dham and have been asked to carry enough warm clothes,” the government stated.

“There was heavy snowfall in Kedarnath Dham yesterday. Pilgrims are requested to be alert and begin their yatra by looking at the weather,” said Uttarakhand DGP Ashok Kumar.

Adequate health arrangements have been made on all the travel routes. Passengers can also visit the nearest health centre immediately after starting the journey or if their health deteriorates during the journey and consult a doctor, the state government has said.

The state government is determined to make the journey smooth, safe and uninterrupted. The travel arrangements are being regularly monitored from a higher level.

As part of the health guidelines, pilgrims have been to acclimatize their bodies to the mountain weather during the journey. They have been asked to rest for some time before proceeding if they face difficulty.

The Char Dham Yatra which began on the auspicious occasion of Akshay Tritiya on Saturday is one of the most popular Hindu pilgrimages in India. This pilgrimage is a tour of four holy sites – Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri in the Himalayas.