Dehradun, 26 September (H.S.): In view of the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) red alert and adverse weather conditions in Uttarakhand, the Char Dham Yatra has been suspended from Saturday afternoon until September 27 as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of pilgrims. Anand Swarup, Commissioner of the Char Dham Yatra Management and Control Organisation, has issued necessary directions to all district magistrates in the Garhwal division regarding the suspension of the pilgrimage.

The decision was taken following information received from the Meteorological Centre on September 26 and a red alert issued in the forecast of the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC). The order stated that the safety of pilgrims and travellers arriving from across India and abroad to visit the Char Dham shrines remains the highest priority.

District magistrates have been directed to strictly enforce the suspension order in their respective districts and ensure necessary safety arrangements along the pilgrimage routes. They have also been instructed to make the required arrangements for resuming the yatra once weather conditions return to normal. Necessary action has further been ordered to keep pilgrimage registrations suspended until further instructions.

The Rudraprayag district administration has also suspended the Kedarnath Dham Yatra from Saturday afternoon, September 26, until September 27 in view of the red alert. District Magistrate and District Disaster Management Authority Chairman Vishal Mishra said the decision had been taken in the interest of pilgrims’ safety.

He directed all sector officers, check-post personnel and sector magistrates along the pilgrimage route to ensure strict compliance with the order. The administration is continuously monitoring the weather conditions.

According to officials, a decision on resuming the Char Dham Yatra will be taken after the weather improves and conditions become favourable. The administration has appealed to pilgrims to follow weather warnings issued by the Meteorological Department and instructions issued by the local authorities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar