Kedarnath Yatra suspended for fourth day due to bad weather

Dehradun: The Kedarnath Yatra remained suspended for the fourth consecutive day Tuesday due to adverse weather conditions, officials said.

“Heavy rains and snowfall have stranded hundreds of pilgrims along the route to the shrine. Rains continued on Tuesday on Badrinath, Kedarnath and Yamunotri routes,” Dehradun Sub-Divisional Magistrate Uttam Singh said.

He, however, sought to allay fears that pilgrims stranded en-route due to adverse weather were under risk.

Adequate arrangements have been made for the safety of the pilgrims, officials said, adding that the yatra will remain suspended for the next two days also.

While more than 150 pilgrims have returned from the shrine after the pilgrimage, an equal number are stranded in Linchauli, five km from the Kedarnath shrine, owing to the bad weather.

The Chardham Yatra, struck last year by flash floods that left thousands dead and missing, resumed May 2. The yatra is a holy expedition that includes visiting four famous shrines in India – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath.

Massive reconstruction and safety measures have been initiated by the Uttarakhand government after the June 2013 disaster. However, far fewer numbers have turned up for the pilgrimage this year.

IANS