The Char Dham Yatra has been stopped in view of the weather department alert, which forecast heavy rain in next 48 hours, by the State Government on Tuesday evening. This was announced by the State Finance Minsiter Indira Hridayesh, who has been executing the chief minister's day-to-day work, on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Kedarnath yatra, which was stopped because a road had collapsed on Monday afternoon and traffic was diverted via Mayali route on Tuesday, will resume via Rudraprayag by Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. A safety wall, which was built to protect the road from erosion, collapsed at Vijaynagar situated around 20 kilometres away from Agastyamuni, although biometric registration of pilgrims is continuing.
Talking to The Pioneer, registration counter official said that he has heard about road closure, but not received any communique for stopping the registration so far. It seems officials are yet to learn from their past mistakes. Meanwhile, weather department has forecast rather heavy rainfall would occur a few places, especially in Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts. If this continues, pilgrims may reach Kedarnath via Mayali only because repair work may get delayed.
Talking to The Pioneer, Rudraprayag District Magistrate Dr Raghav langer said that road collapsed at Vijaynagar on June 14 afternoon and traffic movement was stopped completely since then. "To resume the Kedarnath traffic, we diverted the traffic to Kedarnath via Mayali-Bhiri from Rishikesh. Meanwhile, we have also deployed technician along with labourers to repair the road, so work is in full swing. If weather permits, we would be able to open the road by tonight or Wednesday morning."
As far as collapse is concerned, it was wire crates which were laid on the bank of road to check erosion and strengthen the road as well. "Although technical staff had alerted that road surface having soil, which will erode during rainy season, so we put the wire crates as temporary measures. Now officials are working and will able to resume the traffic till Tuesday night or Wednesday morning. Meanwhile we have diverted the route. As per reports, 130 pilgrims paid obeisance at Kedarnath on Tuesday," DM langer added.
Meanwhile, the Indian Metereological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rainfall alert for Uttarakhand, prompting evacuations in several areas. Cloudy sky and one or two spells of moderate rain/ thunder storm would occur. Maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 29°C and 23°C respectively.
light to moderate rain/thunder storm would occur at many places in Uttarakhand. Rather heavy rainfall would occur at a few places, especially in Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts. Heavy rainfall may occur at isolated places in mid-Garhwal, especially Pauri district and south Kumaon region including parts of Champawat, Pithoragarh, Nainital and Udhamsinghnagar.
Heavy rainfall could occur at isolated places in mid Garhwal and south Kumaon region. Taking cognizance of it, the State Government has asked the local administration to step up vigilance in rain-prone areas. They have also put in place a special plan for the Char Dham yatra in view of the unprecedented rains and flash floods that hit last year.