# Char Dham Yatra resumes in Uttarakhand after weather pause

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/kedarnath-yatra-pilgrimage-and-safety-disruptions
> Updated: 2026-09-28T07:31:06.000Z. Sources: 28. Developments: 6.

The Kedarnath pilgrimage and broader Char Dham Yatra have faced significant disruptions due to extreme weather and geological instability in Uttarakhand. Following heavy rainfall that blocked the pedestrian trek route near the Chirbasa helipad with debris, the Rudraprayag district administration temporarily halted movement, holding travelers at Sonprayag and Gaurikund. The situation escalated when a fatal landslide near the helipad killed local resident Mohan Tiwari. This incident contributed to a reported total of three deaths from falling stones along the route over a 15-day period. Consequently, the pilgrimage was suspended in both directions, with security forces and rescue teams deployed to manage the site. 

As weather conditions worsened, the scope of the disruption expanded. Due to red and orange alerts from the Meteorological Department forecasting extremely heavy rainfall, authorities issued a broader suspension of the Char Dham Yatra and Hemkund Sahib pilgrimages from the afternoon of September 25 through September 27, 2026. This suspension included adventure trekking and helicopter services. On September 28, a five-year-old boy, Yash, was killed by a falling stone near Chirbasa. In response to incessant rainfall, the Yatra was suspended for two consecutive days, and rafting on the Ganga near Rishikesh was halted. 

On Monday morning, Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop announced that the Char Dham Yatra has resumed following the two-day suspension, as weather conditions improved and no new warnings were issued. During the period of instability, joint teams from the SDRF, NDRF, and DDRF successfully rescued approximately 1,500 pilgrims stranded near Chirbasa by a landslide on Sunday night, escorting them to Gaurikund. District Magistrates have been granted the authority to temporarily suspend the yatra again if road blockages or heavy rain recur.

## Claims

- 32 tons of solid waste, including 20 tons of plastic, have been collected in the Kedarnath Dham area. (disputed)
- 270 tons of solid waste have been collected on the Kedarnath walking path, with 6.5 tons of plastic sent for recycling. (disputed)
- The Char Dham Yatra and Hemkund Sahib pilgrimages have been suspended for two days. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The Meteorological Centre issued red and orange alerts for heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Debris and stones blocked the Kedarnath pedestrian route near the Chirbasa helipad following rainfall. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Debris clearance work will begin once weather conditions improve. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The District Emergency Operation Centre notified the Junior Engineer and the District Disaster Management Authority in Guptakashi. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Pilgrims traveling to Shri Kedarnath Dham have been halted at Sonprayag and Gaurikund for safety. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Helicopter services for the Kedarnath Yatra have been suspended due to weather conditions. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Snowfall has been reported in higher-altitude areas, including Hemkund Sahib. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-28: Char Dham Yatra resumes in Uttarakhand after weather improves

The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has resumed after a two-day weather-related suspension. Authorities remain on alert, and 1,500 pilgrims were recently rescued following a landslide on the Kedarnath route.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/char-dham-yatra-resumes-in-uttarakhand-following-weather-improvement

### 2026-09-27: Uttarakhand landslides rescue 1,500 pilgrims on Kedarnath route

Rescue teams have evacuated 1,500 pilgrims stranded by landslides on the Kedarnath trek route in Uttarakhand, India, amid heavy rains that have also blocked major highways and disrupted the Char Dham Yatra.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uttarakhand-highway-blocked-by-landslides-following-heavy-rain

### 2026-09-25: Uttarakhand Char Dham Yatra suspended amid heavy rain and landslide alerts

The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand is suspended for two days following red and orange rain alerts. Landslides and rockfalls have caused casualties and stranded thousands of pilgrims.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uttarakhand-suspends-char-dham-yatra-due-to-heavy-rain-alert

### 2026-09-13: Kedarnath pilgrimage suspended after fatal rockfall in Uttarakhand

A landslide on the Kedarnath trekking route in Uttarakhand killed one person and forced authorities to suspend the pilgrimage in both directions due to ongoing rockfall risks.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kedarnath-pilgrimage-suspended-after-fatal-rockfall-in-uttarakhand

### 2026-09-12: Kedarnath trek route blocked near Chirbasa helipad after heavy rain

Heavy rainfall has blocked the Kedarnath trek route near the Chirbasa helipad in Uttarakhand, forcing authorities to halt pilgrims at Sonprayag and Gaurikund for safety.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kedarnath-trek-route-blocked-near-chirbasa-helipad-after-heavy-rain

### 2026-08-29: Kedarnath Yatra helicopter services to resume September 15

Helicopter services for the second phase of the Kedarnath Yatra are set to resume on September 15 in Uttarakhand, following safety inspections and heightened monitoring in the Himalayan region.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kedarnath-yatra-helicopter-services-to-resume-september-15

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Cite as: Char Dham Yatra resumes in Uttarakhand after weather pause. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/kedarnath-yatra-pilgrimage-and-safety-disruptions
