Uttarakhand's Chardham Yatra Halts Amid Torrential Rains and Landslides

Torrential rains continue to batter several states in northern India, causing widespread disruption to daily life. In Uttarakhand, incessant rainfall has triggered landslides and flash floods, prompting authorities to suspend the Chardham Yatra for 24 hours in the interest of pilgrim safety. Officials have stated that the situation will be reviewed on Monday before resuming the pilgrimage.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall for multiple districts in Uttarakhand, including Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, and Nainital for June 29 and 30. Continuous rain has raised concerns over flash floods, landslides, and traffic blockages in many parts of the state.

In a tragic incident, a cloudburst near the Yamunotri Highway in Uttarkashi led to a massive landslide that swept away laborers’ houses at a construction site. Two workers have been confirmed dead, while seven remain missing. Rescue teams have recovered two bodies along the Yamuna River, and a search operation is currently underway.

Meanwhile, neighboring Himachal Pradesh is also grappling with the aftermath of relentless rain. The Shimla Meteorological Centre has issued a 'Red Alert' for 10 districts, warning of landslides, flash floods, and disruptions in essential services.

On Sunday night, falling trees and boulders caused by heavy rain blocked the Shimla-Kalka railway line in the Koti area of Solan district, forcing the suspension of the historic UNESCO World Heritage train service. Additionally, traffic on the Shimla-Kalka National Highway was paralyzed, with vehicles stranded in long queues stretching for kilometres.

Districts including Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Una, Kullu, and Chamba have reported severe disruptions to normal life. The IMD has advised residents to remain cautious, citing risks of landslides, road waterlogging, traffic congestion, and service disruptions.

Since June 20, at least 17 people have died in rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh, according to official sources.