Uttarakhand rain: Chardham Yatra suspended as IMD issues red alert

In Uttarakhand, the Chardham Yatra was suspended on Sunday.

 This comes as the Indian Meterological Department issued a red alert for the state's Garhwal region on July 7 and 8.

Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey said the pilgrimage was postponed for the safety of devotees and urged the pilgrims who already proceeded for the journey to wait wherever they are until the weather department lifts the warning.

The state has reported heavy rainfall over the past few days, resulting in landslides in the hilly regions.

The highway leading to Badrinath has been blocked at several areas, including Baldouda bridge near Vishnu Prayag, with the rubble falling from the hills.

Rudraprayag Gaurikund NH 107 is also blocked in the Doliya Devi (Phata) area, local police said.

The Alaknanda river is flowing near the danger mark near Joshimath in Vishnu Prayag where it merges with Dhauli Ganga. 

Heavy rain is expected in Rudraprayag, Pauri and Chamoli districts on Sunday. Chamoli police warned on X that public should check road conditions on its social media handles before deciding to travel.

Two pilgrims from Hyderabad were killed after boulders fell on their motorcycle near Chatwapeepal in Chamoli district's Karnaprayag.

On July 9, intense rains are expected in Dehradun, Haridwar, Uttarkashi and Tehri district while on July 10, Nainital, Almora, Pauri, Tehri, Bageshwar and Champatwat districts are predicted to witness heavy downpour.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has asked district magistrates of the affected regions to stay on high alert and urged the public to remian cautious.