Incessant rain disrupts Kailash Mansarovar yatra

Incessant rains that have been lashing different parts of the Himalayan State for the past two days have disrupted the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage as the fourth batch was stopped from embarking on the journey for the next important destination, Sirkha, from Dharchual base camp on Friday.However, the pilgrims would resume their journey from Dharchula on Saturday and reach Gala, which is one stop ahead of Sirkha if weather conditions improved.

The administration said the pilgrimage has been halted by way of precautionary measure. “However, if weather improves the same would head for Gala from Dharchula base camp on Saturday,” said Dhiraj Singh Garbyal, MD, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN). He said there was no reason to get panicky. 

“Things are under control,” he assured. 

The fourth batch of pilgrims had started its journey from Delhi on Wednesday and reached Almora the same evening. There are 56 pilgrims, including 11 women, in this batch. Meanwhile, the third batch of the pilgrimage stayed at Gunji for medical check- up on Friday and would resume its journey for Kailash Mansarovar on Saturday. The second batch of the pilgrims is in Tibet now, the officials said. However, the first batch is now on its way back home and is expected to reach Pithoragarh on July 2. There are about 58 devotees, including 11 women, in this batch.