The Kedarnath Yatra in Uttarakhand has been halted for tomorrow in the wake of incessant snowfall, officials said on Tuesday. Kedarnath Dham is one of the four dhams in the state.
"Due to bad weather and snowfall in Kedarnath, the registration of pilgrims for Kedarnath has been stopped till tomorrow May 3. The decision regarding registration will be taken keeping in view the weather conditions," Mayur Dixit, Rudraprayag District Magistrate (DM) said.
"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.
"In the state, an alert has been issued for hailstorms and thunderstorms with a speed of 70 km per hour and heavy snowfall in areas above 3500 meters," read the IMD release.
Owing to the problems caused due to snowfall in Kedarnath and Badrinath and the rains in the low-lying areas, the late-night Chardham Yatris are being stopped by Srinagar Police in Srinagar itself.
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.
Higher reaches of the Pir Panjal range received fresh snowfall following which the local authorities have been carried out snow clearing operations at the Mughal Road,which connects Rajouri and Poonch districts with Kashmir.
Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar told ANI, "As weather conditions have improved, pilgrims are allowed to visit the Kedarnath Dham", DGP Ashok Kumar said.
However, the Uttarakhand government has stopped accepting registration applications from pilgrims for the Kedarnath Dham Yatra in view of heavy snowfall on the pilgrimage route and a warning of inclement weather by the Met department.
The Uttarakhand government has halted the registration process of pilgrims for the Kedarnath Dham Yatra in view of heavy snowfall in the Kedarnath pedestrian route and Dham and the warning of the Meteorological Department.
"According to the forecast received from the Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of snowfall in Kedarnath Dham for the next 6-7 days, in view of which the Superintendent of Police, Rudraprayag has been coordinated with the district administration and officials of the concerned