By Sulagna Halder
Dehradun, 30 June 2025:
Following better weather and a lack of threats, Uttarakhand authorities have lifted the 24 hour ban on the Char Dham Yatra pilgrimage, officials confirmed.
Before being lifted earlier today, the ban was pending safety assurances. It was put in place after a deadly landslide near Barkot was caused by a cloudburst and heavy rainfall. According to a representative of the Yatra control room, the India Meteorological Department's red alert for the area served as the impetus for the decision. "After a comprehensive safety review, we have resumed the pilgrimage as weather conditions have stabilised and the threat of additional landslides has decreased," the official said.
Significant disruption was caused by the cloudburst on June 29, which also raised questions about the safety of pilgrims traveling during this season.
Following the deaths caused by the landslide near Barkot, the pilgrimage was immediately halted, and rescue and cleanup teams were quickly sent in. Authorities are actively urging pilgrims to proceed cautiously now that the suspension has been lifted.
Updated advisories have been released by the regional disaster management authority, cautioning travelers to exercise caution and pay attention to any warnings that are displayed locally. The Yatra control room has verified that important road routes have been examined and stabilised in order to reassure tourists. On the spot, a traveling officials committee reported that "earth movement hazards have been secured and all road blocks have been cleared."
During the remaining monsoon periods, pilgrims are advised to avoid high risk areas and to check real time weather updates.
Additionally, by deploying more teams for slope inspections and putting in place round the clock surveillance at vulnerable areas, the Uttarakhand government has increased monitoring. The number of devotees attending this year's Char Dham pilgrimage is higher than in previous years. Pushkar Singh Dhami, the chief minister of Uttarakhand, recently reported that by May 10th, over 400,000 pilgrims had already visited the four shrines. Authorities maintain that safety is still the top priority in spite of this. In response to animal welfare concerns earlier this season, the High Court has previously approved specific restrictions, such as prohibitions on the transportation of horses at night.
Officials say that although mild weather trends are anticipated over the next few days, it is still important to exercise caution. Pilgrims are advised to only use official route information and to avoid needless travel during possible rainy periods. For thousands of devotees waiting for the holy Himalayan journey, the Yatra's resumption provides much needed respite.
However, state disaster officials stress that this is a carefully managed resumption under ongoing vigilance and preparedness, not a return to normalcy.
