Update on Kedarnath Yatra: The ongoing Kedarnath Yatra in Uttarakhand has been temporarily halted until further notice. Rudraprayag District Magistrate Mayur Dixit stated that the yatra has been suspended at Sonprayag due to heavy rainfall in the region.

Meanwhile, rainfall is occurring in several other parts of the state. Addressing the rainfall situation, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami of Uttarakhand conducted an impromptu inspection of the State Disaster Management Control Room at the Secretariat on Sunday. A press release mentioned that he gathered information about the prevailing weather conditions, rain patterns, water-logging, and the damages caused by the rain across the state.

In the last 24 hours, Haridwar received 78 mm of rainfall, followed by Dehradun with 33.2 mm and Uttarkashi with 27.7 mm, as reported by the India Meteorological Department. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed the officials to establish constant communication and coordination with the districts experiencing continuous heavy rainfall, as well as those at risk of further heavy downpours.

The Chief Minister emphasized the need to promptly address emergency situations and instructed the officials to maintain a state of preparedness for disaster relief and rescue operations. He further urged the districts across the state to advise residents living near rivers and drains to remain vigilant. He stressed the importance of providing sufficient night shelters and relief materials in each district for rehabilitation purposes.

To address waterlogging, he emphasized the necessity of appropriate drainage arrangements and pre-arranged JCB machines in sensitive locations prone to disasters. Chief Minister Dhami emphasized the provision of adequate facilities for the health, police, and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel in light of the ongoing disaster. Furthermore, he inquired about the number of pilgrims in the Char Dhams and their present conditions amidst the heavy rains.

He also virtually observed the live feed of Shri Kedarnath Dham. In his pursuit of information, Chief Minister Dhami conversed with the District Magistrates of Haridwar, Pithoragarh, and Chamoli over the phone. He issued instructions to promptly address the waterlogging situation in various areas of Haridwar City. Additionally, he instructed the officials to remain vigilant in Chamoli and Pithoragarh, which are sensitive border areas from a disaster perspective. The Secretary of Disaster Management, Ranjit Kumar Sinha, and other officials were present during these discussions.

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