Rudraprayag: The Kedarnath Yatra has been suspended for three days starting Monday due to a heavy rain warning issued by the Meteorological Department for several districts in Uttarakhand, including Rudraprayag.
The Meteorological Centre in Dehradun has forecast heavy rainfall across most parts of the state, including Rudraprayag, on August 12, 13, and 14. As a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of pilgrims, the yatra will remain halted during this period, said Rudraprayag District Magistrate Prateek Jain.
The State Disaster Management Department has instructed authorities to stay vigilant and maintain a state of alert.
The warning system has been tested, and residents living near riverbanks have been urged to move to safer locations. JCB machines have been pre-positioned in disaster-prone areas along national highways to quickly clear any road blockages, the DM added.
Police, Public Works Department personnel, and disaster management teams have been directed to remain on high alert.
River water levels are being closely monitored, and weather updates and alerts are being disseminated to the public through various channels. These steps have been taken with the safety of both devotees and local residents in mind.
Meanwhile, six people have died and 42 are reported missing following a flash flood caused by a cloudburst in Dharali village, Uttarkashi district, on August 5. Among the missing are a junior commissioned officer of the Army and eight soldiers.
