Uttarakhand's Char Dham Yatra has been put on hold due to concerns over heavy rainfall predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for July 7-8. The decision to suspend the pilgrimage was made by Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey late Saturday, urging pilgrims to stay where they are for safety.

The IMD has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall across all districts of Uttarakhand for the upcoming two days. This has prompted authorities to advise pilgrims against traveling beyond Rishikesh until weather conditions improve. The main concern is the potential for landslides and other hazards due to the inclement weather.

"Pilgrims should only continue their journey when the weather clears up," emphasized Vinay Shankar Pandey. This precautionary measure aims to ensure the safety of all pilgrims and prevent any accidents during the pilgrimage.

In response to the IMD alert, the state government has taken immediate action. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami instructed officials from the Disaster Management and Rehabilitation departments to remain vigilant. They are closely monitoring the situation from the State Emergency Operations Center and District Emergency Operations Centers of the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA).

Dhami stressed the importance of quick and effective response measures. "Immediate action must be taken upon receiving any disaster-related information at the emergency centers," he emphasized.

The Char Dham Yatra attracts thousands of pilgrims annually to the sacred shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. However, the region's susceptibility to heavy rainfall and landslides poses significant risks, underscoring the need for caution and preparedness during such weather conditions.