Snowfall turns hostile at Kedarnath, derails pilgrims' plans

In view of the worsening weather at Kedarnath Dham, pilgrims will be permitted here only after normalcy is restored. Authorities are removing snow with the help of a JCB at Kedarnath helipad. DGP Ashok Kumar reviews security for pilgrims on account of hostile weather.

Kedarnath (Uttarakhand) : The weather is worsening in Kedarnath Dham and passengers are stopped at Sonprayag and Gaurikund. Snow has accumulated in the Kedarnath helipad and the authorities are removing snow with a JCB machine. Now passengers will be sent to Kedarnath Dham only after the unfavourable weather clears.

There is continuous snowfall in Kedarnath Dham, due to which chaos has spread in the shrine. In such a situation, the district administration has postponed the yatra. Director General of Police Ashok Kumar is also in Kedarnath Dham and talked to the passengers regarding their safe travel.

DGP Ashok Kumar and Rudraprayag SP Visakha Ashok Bhadane reviewed the security arrangements at Kedarnath Dham today. During this, a dialogue was established with the devotees present on the temple premises. Talks were held with the office bearers of the temple committee. The DGP said that there is heavy snowfall in Kedarnath Dham.

Today travel has been completely stopped from Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Phata and Gaurikund. The weather is unfavorable here. The pilgrims who came yesterday are being sent back after having darshan. Kedarnath Dham is out of reach on account of the relentless snowfall.

The DGP has appealed to the pilgrims to wait till a decision will be taken by today evening for the May 4 yatra after considering the weather. The pilgrims will wait for an advisory in this regard.

Only last week, pilgrims were requested to postpone their travel plans for a week due to continuing rains and snowfall at the Himalayan mountain shrine. At that time itself, the pilgrims were told to check the weather situation before resuming their pilgrimage.