Uttarakhand Heavy Rain Blocks Yamnotri Highway, Disrupts Char Dham Pilgrimage

On May 31, heavy rain in the Chakarata area of Uttarakhand caused a sudden surge from a waterfall that blocked the Vikasnagar‑Yamunotri national highway. Water and debris accumulated between Lakhdwar band and Judo, halting traffic and stranding vehicles on the Char Dham pilgrimage route. After several hours the flow subsided and the road was reopened for traffic.

The state weather centre issued orange alerts for heavy rain in several districts and a yellow alert for thunderstorms with winds of 40‑50 km/h. Dehradun recorded 69 mm of rain in the previous 24 hours, the highest May daily total in 86 years. The storm also brought snowfall to higher‑altitude areas such as Kedarnath. Tourist hotels in nearby hill stations reported guests returning early due to the downpour.