New Delhi: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev was among thousands of pilgrims stuck in Gangotri as the road to Uttarkashi has caved-in at many places amid heavy rain in Uttarakhand. The pilgrimage to Kedarnath has been suspended for three days following heavy rains in Uttarakhand.
Heavy rain and landslides have once again disrupted the ‘chaar dhaam yatra’ in the hill state of Uttarakhand with all roads leading to the Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamnotri and Gangotri blocked.
Yoga guru Baba Ramdev trekked 18kms from Gangotri to Gaumukh in Uttarkashi along with 150 followers to visit the source of the Ganga. The annual pilgrimage to Kedarnath came to a sudden halt on Wednesday as heavy rains damaged the Rishikesh-Kedarnath highway at five places.
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) managed to clear the Uttarkashi-Gangotri highway and make it functional for light vehicles by afternoon. But the Joshimath-Badrinath highway remained blocked at Lambager and Pagalnala.
The pilgrims to Kedarnath were asked not to move ahead and stay put at Sonprayag, Kedarnath and Limchuli. But Baba Ramdev decided not to pay any heed to the weather forecast and take the 18km-long trek from Gangotri to Gaumukh.
Gangotri National Park’s Deputy Director Sarwan Kumar said, we have issued permit for 151 people. Baba Ramdev and his followers had reached Gaumukh by 2pm and were to stay overnight at Bhojwasa to return to Gangotri by Thursday. The Yoga Guru and his followers are safe. Ramdev was accompanied by 81 male, 65 female and 5 Kanwad pilgrims in his trek to Gaumukh. Gangotri National Park staffers equipped with wireless set are with the group.
Heavy to very heavy rains have been forecast for most parts of the hill state and weather officials say there will be no respite from rains for the next three days. As many as 300 pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra are reported trapped in Joshimath area en route to Badrinath and efforts are being made to ensure their safety.
Bureau Report
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