Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday said that efforts have been made by the state government to provide all possible facilities to the devotees for the Chardham Yatra.
More than 8 lakh pilgrims have visited the Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri shrines since the Chardham Yatra began on April 22, according to a report released on Tuesday by the Uttarakhand Tourism Department.
According to an official release, the mood of the weather has changed in Kedarnath. After 02:00 PM in the afternoon, the snowfall process started in Kedarnath and in the evening there was heavy snowfall. During this, the devotees kept on queuing up for darshan with the help of umbrellas."
The Chief Minister said, "Despite rain and snowfall, a large number of pilgrims are coming to visit the Chardhams. Necessary arrangements have been made on the travel routes for the smooth operation of travel arrangements."
On occasion, Special Executive Officer in the Tourism Department Bhaskar Khulbe and Deputy Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Mangesh Ghildiyal took stock of the reconstruction work at Badrinath Dham.
"Due to the breaking of the glacier again at Bhairon Glacier at 2:25 pm, the Yatra route has been completely closed for movement," an official said.
In this regard, Rudraprayag District Magistrate Mayur Dixit appealed to the pilgrims to avoid going on foot towards Kedarnath Dham.
Shri Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee Chairman Ajendra Ajay appealed to the pilgrims visiting Kedarnath to take information about the weather before heading for yatra and said that the state government and the temple committee have made all arrangements for the Chardham Yatra.
"There has been continuous snowfall in Kedarnath Dham since this morning. Please be careful in view of the weather and start the journey according to the weather forecast. Dial 112 for emergency assistance," Uttarakhand Police said.
Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar on Saturday issued instructions in view of rain and snowfall during Chardham yatra and directed officials to be extra vigilant.
Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar on Friday directed all the district in-charges to immediately arrest those who indulge in hooliganism and drugs on the banks of the Ganges and pilgrimage sites.