Chamoli, July 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Char Dham Yatra remained suspended on Wednesday after fresh landslides triggered by continuous rainfall blocked key pilgrimage routes, including the Badrinath National Highway near Bhanerpani and the Kedarnath Highway in Rudraprayag district.
Authorities said debris from a hillside fell onto the Badrinath National Highway near Bhanerpani, disrupting traffic and prompting road-clearing operations. The pilgrimage had already been suspended on Tuesday as persistent rainfall and the threat of further landslides made travel unsafe.
Officials said the yatra would resume only after weather conditions improve and all affected routes are cleared and declared safe for pilgrims.
The Kedarnath Highway was also blocked in the Munkatiya area after rocks and debris crashed onto the road due to incessant rain. Heavy machinery has been deployed to remove the debris, while district authorities are monitoring the situation and taking measures to ensure the safety of stranded pilgrims.
The Yatra Control Room is keeping a close watch on developments, with regular updates being shared with sector officers, police personnel and other security agencies to maintain coordination and facilitate rescue and traffic management efforts.
Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said vulnerable stretches continue to face the risk of falling rocks despite earlier restoration work. He said pilgrims are being assisted while crossing hazardous sections, while rescue teams and sector officers remain deployed along the route. Travellers have also been advised to halt at safe locations until conditions improve.
Adverse weather has significantly affected this year’s Char Dham pilgrimage, reducing daily pilgrim movement. However, the yatra has continued to witness substantial participation overall.
According to official figures, 45,23,412 devotees had visited the four Himalayan shrines by July 25. During the previous 24 hours, 8,126 pilgrims undertook the pilgrimage, including 2,778 to Badrinath, 2,475 to Gangotri, 942 to Kedarnath and 895 to Yamunotri.
Since the pilgrimage began, Badrinath has received the highest footfall with 15,53,525 devotees, followed by Kedarnath with 14,14,590. Gangotri has recorded 7,09,418 visitors, while 6,49,957 pilgrims have visited Yamunotri.
Police, district administration officials and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams remain on high alert at vulnerable locations as efforts continue to restore connectivity and ensure the safe resumption of the Char Dham Yatra.
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