Uttarakhand Pilgrimage Routes Reopen After Heavy Rains

Heavy monsoon rains across Uttarakhand forced a temporary suspension of the Char Dham Yatra on July 20. The pilgrimage resumed on July 21 after officials reviewed and cleared the travel routes, with the Garhwal Commissioner confirming continuous monitoring, police presence and designated holding areas for pilgrims.

In the same period, the Kedarnath route, blocked by landslides and rising river levels, was cleared and traffic restored. Authorities released more than one lakh cusecs from the Banbasa Sharda Barrage on the India‑Nepal border and issued orange and red alerts. Pilgrims and residents were urged to follow official advisories and avoid vulnerable zones until conditions improve.