The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has resumed after weather conditions improved, even as rescue teams continue efforts to bring stranded trekkers and mountaineers to safety in the state’s high-altitude areas.
The pilgrimage had been suspended from the afternoon of September 26 until September 27 because of forecasts of rain and snowfall. With conditions improving, the administration allowed the yatra to restart while keeping district authorities on alert. Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swarup said district magistrates have been asked to take decisions based on local weather and ground conditions.
The reopening of the pilgrimage comes as Uttarakhand continues to deal with the impact of heavy rain and snowfall in the higher reaches. Several trekking routes have become difficult to access, with rescue agencies working across Uttarkashi and Bageshwar.
A major rescue operation was launched after 179 trekkers, mountaineers and support staff from 13 groups were reported stranded in different parts of the two districts. The initial group included 136 people in Uttarkashi and another 43 trekkers in Bageshwar. Authorities planned helicopter evacuations as soon as the weather allowed safe flying conditions.
By Monday, rescue teams had successfully evacuated 40 people from the Uttarkashi high-altitude areas. Helicopters brought down 29 people from the Auden’s Col area and another 11 from the Kalindi Pass region. The rescue operation was carried out with the involvement of the State Disaster Response Force, district administration, police and other agencies.
The evacuation was not straightforward. Rapidly changing weather, snowfall and difficult Himalayan terrain made helicopter operations challenging. Officials were forced to halt flights when weather conditions deteriorated, leaving more people waiting for the next safe window for evacuation.
The Auden’s Col rescue was completed successfully, with all 29 trekkers in that group airlifted to safety. They were flown to Harsil before being sent onwards to their respective destinations. The operation involved close coordination between rescue teams and local authorities.
Another large group had also faced difficulties on the Gaumukh-Tapovan trail in Gangotri National Park after heavy snowfall made parts of the route unsafe. A forest department team rescued 121 trekkers from the area and brought them safely to Gangotri. Officials said the group later left for their destinations.
In Bageshwar, rescue planning has focused on trekkers stranded around the Pindari Glacier region. The group includes people near the glacier as well as others in Khati village. Officials have said those stranded there are safe, while arrangements remain in place for their evacuation when conditions permit.
The weather has also affected the Kedarnath route. Repair and strengthening work is underway on the trekking path near Chirbasa after debris and boulders damaged the route following heavy rainfall. The affected section, located around 2.5 kilometres above Gaurikund, remains closed to movement.
Despite the closure of the trekking route, the Kedarnath pilgrimage is continuing through helicopter services. Authorities have advised pilgrims to remain updated on weather conditions and follow instructions issued by local administration and police.
The India Meteorological Department has continued to warn of difficult weather in parts of Uttarakhand. Forecasts have included heavy rainfall in isolated areas, thunderstorms, lightning and strong to very heavy rain across parts of the Garhwal region. Snowfall is also possible at elevations above 3,600 metres.
Officials have therefore kept emergency services on standby. Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan directed authorities to arrange sufficient helicopters through the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority and bring in additional aircraft if required. Rescue teams have also been instructed to remain in continuous contact with stranded groups and arrange medical examinations after evacuation.
Authorities have further directed that helicopters involved in the rescue missions carry satellite phones to maintain communication in areas where regular networks may not work.
The developments highlight the delicate balance between reopening the popular Char Dham pilgrimage and managing safety risks in the Himalayas. While improved weather has allowed pilgrimage activity to resume, rescue operations remain dependent on local conditions.
With rain, snowfall and sudden changes in weather still possible, officials are expected to keep monitoring routes closely and make local decisions wherever necessary.
