Char Dham Yatra suspended as debris blocks Badrinath Highway near Bhanerpani
Synopsis
The Char Dham Yatra is suspended for a second consecutive day as debris blocks the Badrinath National Highway near Bhanerpani and the Kedarnath Highway at Munkatiya. With daily footfall crashing to just 8,126 pilgrims and a heavy rainfall alert still active, over 45 lakh devotees have already completed the yatra — but the route remains unpredictable and dangerous.
Key Takeaways
The Badrinath National Highway was blocked near Bhanerpani on 29 July after hillside debris fell onto the road.
The Char Dham Yatra was suspended on Tuesday and remained halted on Wednesday due to safety concerns from landslides and heavy rainfall.
The Kedarnath Highway is also blocked at Munkatiya ; heavy machinery has been deployed for clearance.
Only 8,126 pilgrims undertook the yatra in the last 24 hours, down sharply from seasonal averages.
A cumulative 45,23,412 pilgrims had visited the four shrines by 25 July , with Badrinath leading at 15,53,525 visitors.
SDRF teams, police, and district authorities remain on high alert across all vulnerable stretches.
The Badrinath National Highway was blocked near Bhanerpani in Chamoli district on Wednesday, 29 July, after hillside debris crashed onto the road, compounding travel disruptions across Uttarakhand as relentless rainfall and landslides continue to batter the region. Authorities had already suspended the Char Dham Yatra on Tuesday, and the pilgrimage remained halted on Wednesday in the interest of pilgrim safety.
Routes Blocked, Machinery Deployed
The Kedarnath Highway has also been cut off in the Munkatiya area after rocks and debris tumbled onto the road following incessant rainfall. Heavy machinery has been deployed on a war footing to clear the blockages and restore connectivity. The district administration has activated all necessary protocols to safeguard pilgrims stranded along the affected stretches.
The Yatra Control Room is monitoring the situation in real time, issuing regular advisories to sector officers, police personnel, and security agencies to ensure coordinated response across the route.
What Officials Said
Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Nandan Singh Rajwar said on Tuesday: 'The road travel route is likely to remain obstructed at several places. Earlier, the road at Munkatiya was blocked but was reopened immediately. However, the area remains vulnerable. There is a constant threat of falling rocks, and in view of safety concerns, pilgrims are being assisted while crossing the affected stretch. Sector officers and rescue teams are continuously monitoring the route, and people are being advised to halt at safe locations.'
The Garhwal Divisional Commissioner stated that the yatra would resume only after weather conditions improve and all affected routes are cleared and officially declared safe for pilgrims.
Pilgrim Footfall Hit Hard
Continuous rainfall and frequent landslides have significantly dented daily pilgrim numbers this season. According to official figures, only 8,126 pilgrims undertook the yatra in the last 24 hours — a sharp drop from peak-season numbers. Of these, 2,778 visited Badrinath, 2,475 travelled to Gangotri, 942 reached Kedarnath, and 895 visited Yamunotri.
Despite the disruptions, a cumulative total of 45,23,412 pilgrims had visited the four shrines by 25 July, according to official data. Badrinath has recorded the highest footfall at 15,53,525, followed by Kedarnath at 14,14,590. Gangotri has received 7,09,418 visitors, while Yamunotri has welcomed 6,49,957 pilgrims.
On High Alert Across Uttarakhand
Police, district authorities, and teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) remain on high alert, closely monitoring vulnerable stretches across the pilgrimage circuit. Known as Devbhoomi — the 'Land of Gods' — Uttarakhand's Char Dham circuit covering Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath draws millions of devotees each year from across the country.
The yatra is expected to resume once the India Meteorological Department (IMD) heavy rainfall alert is lifted and road-clearing operations are completed to the satisfaction of district authorities.
Point of View
With no long-term mitigation in sight. A daily footfall of just 8,126 against a seasonal cumulative of over 45 lakh underscores how sharply a single weather event can choke the circuit. The broader question — whether the existing road infrastructure and disaster-response machinery are adequate for a pilgrimage that draws millions each year — deserves policy attention beyond the immediate clearance operations.
NationPress
29 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the Char Dham Yatra been suspended?
The Char Dham Yatra was suspended on Tuesday, 28 July, and remained halted on Wednesday due to landslides and a heavy rainfall alert issued for Uttarakhand. Multiple pilgrimage routes, including the Badrinath and Kedarnath highways, have been blocked by debris, making travel unsafe for pilgrims.
Which roads are blocked and where?
The Badrinath National Highway is blocked near Bhanerpani in Chamoli district, while the Kedarnath Highway is obstructed at the Munkatiya area following debris and rock falls triggered by incessant rainfall. Road-clearing operations using heavy machinery are ongoing at both locations.
When will the Char Dham Yatra resume?
According to the Garhwal Divisional Commissioner, the yatra will resume only after weather conditions improve and all affected routes are cleared and officially declared safe. No specific date has been announced as of 29 July.
How many pilgrims have visited the Char Dham shrines this season?
A total of 45,23,412 pilgrims had visited the four shrines — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri — by 25 July, according to official figures. However, daily footfall has dropped sharply, with only 8,126 pilgrims undertaking the yatra in the last 24 hours.
What is the government doing to ensure pilgrim safety?
Police, district authorities, and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams are on high alert and monitoring vulnerable stretches. The Yatra Control Room is issuing real-time advisories to sector officers and security agencies, while heavy machinery has been deployed to clear debris from blocked highways.
