Excessive rains lash Uttarakhand- Chardham yatra halted temporarily

Excessive rains lashed Uttarakhand for the second consecutive day on Monday, prompting the authorities to advise Chardham pilgrims not to proceed to the Himalayan temples till the weather improves. Pilgrims headed for Yamunotri have been asked to stay in Badkot and Jankichatti whereas those en route to Gangotri have been asked to stay in Harsil, Bhatwari, and Maneri.

Kedarnath and Badrinath-bound pilgrims have also been requested not to proceed on their journey till the weather clears. N K Joshi, Chamoli district disaster management officials said, most of the pilgrims on way to Badrinath are staying in Joshimath and Chamoli.

Around 4000 yatris headed for Kedarnath have been stopped in Linchauli and Bhimbali as a precautionary measure, said N S Singh, Rudraprayag disaster management officer. The peaks beyond Badrinath and Kedarnath got light snowfall whereas the lower areas were lashed by continuous showers. The rain continued in Uttarkashi and Dehradun as well.