Weather woes halt Adi Kailash yatra in Uttarakhand: 35 pilgrims stranded, next decision after Sept 17

Pithoragarh: The second phase of the Adi Kailash Yatra has been postponed due to bad weather in Uttarakhand. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for several districts, warning of heavy rain, landslides, and falling rocks.

In view of this, the district administration has put the yatra on hold for now and will review the situation after September 17 to decide the next steps.

Adi Kailash yatra route is prone to landslides and rockfall

According to officials, the weather has been very unpredictable over the past few days. There is a warning of light to moderate rainfall in many places and heavy rain at some locations, especially in hilly and sensitive areas. The Adi Kailash Yatra route passes through such areas, where landslides and falling rocks can become dangerous for pilgrims.

35 pilgrims stranded in Dharchula

At present, 35 pilgrims who had come to Dharchula from different parts of the country are waiting for the yatra to begin. However, due to the bad weather and the yellow alert, the Inner Line Permits required for the yatra have not been issued yet. These permits are mandatory for visiting the restricted border areas near the Indo-China border.

Yatra may resume by the end of this month

The administration has made it clear that no movement will be allowed until the weather improves and safety is ensured. Due to the frequent closure of the route and rising risks, the yatra may likely begin only by the end of September if conditions allow. Kirti Chandra Arya, district tourism officer, Pithoragarh, told TV 9(English) that this yatra has been halted in view of pilgrims' safety as IMD issued a yellow alert in the region for the heavy rain and landslides. "We will take further decision on 17 September" he added. 

Disaster response teams are on alert

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Meanwhile, local authorities and disaster response teams are on alert. Continuous monitoring of the weather and road conditions is being carried out. Tour operators have also been asked to stay in touch with officials before making any bookings or confirming travel plans. The administration has advised all travellers to check the latest weather updates and route conditions before planning the yatra. People have been warned not to travel without official permission and to avoid taking any risks.

The Adi Kailash Yatra, which is considered spiritually significant, attracts many pilgrims each year. However, due to the tough terrain and unpredictable weather in the Himalayan region, it often faces delays and cancellations.