Rain halts Yamunotri pilgrimage

Dehradun, July 18 

The Yamunotri pilgrimage has been halted due to heavy rain that continues to batter many parts of the state for the last three days, an official said on Wednesday. 

The Met Department has predicted more showers in 48 hours till Friday. The district authorities have been directed to shift people from river banks to safer places.

There are also reports of a cloudburst near Yamunotri, one of the four holy shrines of the annual Char Dham Yatra. The authorities have, however, ruled out the cloudburst and said the damage had been caused by heavy rain and landslides in the area. 

Two footbridges connecting the road to the Yamunotri temple had been washed away while the Kali Kamli Dharmsala and some nearby shops had been inundated with water and sludge, said sources.  No loss of life has, however, been reported so far. 

District Magistrate, Uttarkashi said the main temple was safe. More than 70 persons, comprising mainly of pilgrims and the priests, had been shifted to safer places at Janki Chatti.  Officials of the National Disaster Response Force, the district police, the administration and the State Disaster Response Force officials have been rushed to the area.  — IANS