Monsoon mayhem in Uttarakhand: Char Dham Yatra temporarily suspended amid heavy rains

Char Dham Yatra suspended for two days: Due to relentless and incessant rainfall in Uttarakhand, the ongoing Char Dham Yatra has been temporarily suspended in Uttarakhand for two days i.e. August 14th and 15th. 

The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority issued advisory to all the pilgrims and took the decision to halt the Yatra in the view to ensure the safety of pilgrims. 

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In an order issued on Monday, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority said, "Char Dham Yatra stopped temporarily on the 14th and 15th August following disruption in the movement of traffic due to landslides after heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand."  

Notably, the Char Dham Yatra consists of the four holy shrines: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. 

The Kapat (door) of the Gangotri and Yamunotri opened for devotees on April 22, on the auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya. 

The doors of the Kedarnath Dham were opened on April 25, while Badrinath Dham was made open for pilgrims on April 27. 

IMD issues Red Alert in Uttarakhand  

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert and predicted heavy rainfall with lightning in six districts of the state for the next twenty-four hours.

It also forecast very heavy to extremely heavy rain/ thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and very intense to extremely intense spell is likely to occur at isolated places in Dehradun, Pauri, Tehri, Nainital, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar.