The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand has been suspended for a day on Sunday following a red alert for heavy rainfall issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This precautionary measure has been taken to ensure the safety of pilgrims and protect life and property. District administrations have been placed on high alert, and relief and rescue teams have been mobilized in anticipation of any emergencies.

Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey stated that a decision on resuming the yatra will be made after assessing weather conditions and the status of travel routes on Monday. In the meantime, devotees are advised to strictly adhere to the guidelines issued by the authorities and refrain from heading toward the pilgrimage sites until conditions return to normal.

He further confirmed that pilgrims who have arrived in Rishikesh are being advised to remain there, while those who have progressed further are being held at designated safe spots.

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The IMD has predicted extremely heavy rainfall in several districts, leading the administration to implement precautionary measures to prevent any untoward incidents along the pilgrimage route.

Authorities have urged devotees to follow official advisories and avoid traveling to the hills until weather conditions improve. Police and administrative officials have been instructed to stop pilgrims at Haridwar, Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Sonprayag, and Vikasnagar.

He advised that those already on the pilgrimage should remain where they are until the weather improves before continuing their journey. Continuous rainfall in Uttarakhand has caused major disruptions, including the blockage of the National Highway near Nandprayag and Bhaneropani. Since this highway is a vital route for pilgrims heading to Kedarnath, clearing the road remains a top priority.

In a related development, district authorities in Rudraprayag restricted movement on the Sonprayag-Munkatiya road on Friday due to persistent rain. This road, a key base point for pilgrims traveling to Kedarnath, was completely obstructed by falling debris and stones near the Sonprayag shuttle bridge and the landslide-prone area near Munkatiya. As a result, Kedarnath Dham Yatra pilgrims were temporarily halted at Sonprayag and Gaurikund for their safety. Movement resumed once the debris was cleared, according to a statement from Rudraprayag Police.

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Road access is now being carefully managed, with authorities, administrative officials, and police working together to ensure safe passage for travelers. Meanwhile, search and rescue operations continued for a second day along the Alaknanda River to locate missing persons following a bus accident in Rudraprayag on Thursday, which has so far claimed four lives. The death toll rose after the body of a missing passenger was recovered near the Srinagar dam in Pauri Garhwal, approximately 40 kilometers from the accident site.