Heavy snowfall in the vicinity of Badrinath and Kedarnath, combined with rain in the lower areas, has impeded preparations for the upcoming Char Dham Yatra in India. The inclement weather has caused temperatures to drop significantly in the Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts where the holy shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath are situated. The trek route to Kedarnath temple, which was scheduled to open on April 25, has become clogged with snow, while Badrinath Dham, which was to open on April 27, has been blanketed in snow. The Gangotri and Yamunotri temples are scheduled to open on April 22.
According to a report by PTI, the Disaster Management Authority official, Surendra Singh Rawat, stated that the snow clearing exercise would resume as soon as the snowfall subsides. However, the inclement weather is hampering the efforts of labourers to clear the snow from the route for the convenience of pilgrims. In addition, the scheduled visit of the Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh to the Chamoli district was also cancelled due to the bad weather.
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Dr R Rajesh Kumar, Secretary of the State Health Department, has issued a health advisory to pilgrims planning to visit the high-altitude temple. The advisory states that senior citizens with comorbidities and those who have suffered from Covid-19 should either postpone the visit or not undertake the yatra. People with diabetes, hypertension, respiratory ailments, and heart diseases have also been advised to take caution. Devotees have also been advised not to travel on an empty stomach and to seek immediate medical assistance in case of headache, drowsiness, or nausea-like symptoms during the yatra.
The Chardham Yatra is a popular Hindu pilgrimage in India, comprising a tour of four holy sites - Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri - located high up in the Himalayas.