Kedarnath Yatra on high alert: IMD warns of heavy rain & thunderstorms, check Dehradun traffic plan before you travel

The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for the Kedarnath region, warning of thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds, putting the ongoing Kedarnath Yatra on high alert.

Authorities in Uttarakhand are closely monitoring weather-sensitive areas along the pilgrimage route as changing weather conditions continue to disrupt movement.

According to officials, pilgrims are being halted at designated safe points whenever heavy rain, dense fog or thunderstorms affect the trekking route.

Pilgrims stopped during bad weather on Kedarnath route

Speaking to ANI, Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar said the rapidly changing weather has become a major concern for the Kedarnath pilgrimage.

“The alerts being issued every two hours are proving to be a threat to the Kedarnath pilgrimage, as there is a possibility of heavy rain and fog at any time,” Rajwar said.

Officials stated that sector officers, disaster response teams and security personnel are actively regulating pilgrim movement along the trekking route. Pilgrims are only being allowed to continue their journey once weather conditions improve.

Kedarnath helicopter services suspended during poor visibility

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and district authorities are also maintaining close surveillance on helicopter operations linked to the Kedarnath Yatra.

Helicopter services are being temporarily suspended during periods of poor visibility, rain and strong winds to avoid aviation risks in the hilly terrain.

Operations resume only after weather conditions become stable and safe for flying, officials said.

Meanwhile, the Disaster Control Room in Rudraprayag is continuously tracking conditions around the Kedarnath shrine, trekking routes and Yatra stop points. Rescue and emergency response teams remain on standby.

Char Dham Yatra rush expected to increase traffic pressure

Authorities are also preparing for a massive weekend travel rush linked to the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, the Hemkund Sahib Yatra and the summer holiday season.

To manage rising traffic congestion, Dehradun Police has introduced a detailed traffic diversion plan for 24 May.

Officials expect traffic movement to increase sharply due to tourist inflow, especially after the opening of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway.

Dehradun traffic diversion plan activated

Under directions from the SSP Dehradun, the traffic management system has been divided into:

• 4 super zones
• 10 zones
• 19 sectors

A total of 130 police personnel and officers have been deployed across major routes to regulate vehicle movement.

Two drone surveillance teams are also monitoring traffic conditions around:

• Mussoorie
• Dehradun city
• key tourist routes
• Alternate routes for Mussoorie-bound vehicles

Vehicles travelling towards Mussoorie from Delhi, Haryana, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur and Roorkee are being diverted through:

• Datkali
• RTO Checkpost
• Transport Nagar
• ISBT
• Shimla Bypass
• Ballupur
• Cantt
• Kuthal Gate

Officials added that if traffic pressure rises further, vehicles may also be diverted through the Kimadi-Hathipaon Road route to reduce congestion on the main Mussoorie road.

Authorities urge pilgrims to follow advisories

With heavy rain, thunderstorms and fog expected to continue intermittently across Uttarakhand, officials have urged pilgrims and tourists to strictly follow weather advisories and cooperate with authorities during temporary halts and diversions.

The Kedarnath Yatra weather alert comes at a time when thousands of devotees are travelling daily to the Himalayan shrine as part of the Char Dham pilgrimage season.

Inputs from ANI