In the four days since the Badrinath shrine was reopened to the public on May 5, at least 13,500 pilgrims have visited this shrine so far. On the other hand, about 2,300 people have visited Kedarnath shrine since it was reopened to the public on May 4. The number of pilgrims reaching these shrines this year is considerably less compared to the number of arrivals in the corresponding period last year. The decrease in the number of visitors is attributed to the fear spread by the disaster experienced in June last year and the damaged condition of roads and inadequate facilities which are causing inconvenience to the pilgrims and regional travelers.
The weather in the higher reaches around Badrinath is still not clear with rains being experienced in the medium altitude areas almost every evening with snowfall in the higher reaches.
The resulting cold coupled with the condition of the road is affecting the pilgrimage.