Kedarnath Yatra 2023: Severe cold due to snowfall, 21 people died in Char Dham Yatra so far, registration banned

Dehradun, 09 May, 2023: In a tragic turn of events, the Kedarnath Yatra 2023 was plagued by extreme cold because of significant snowfall, which has already claimed the lives of 21 people. One of the most revered Hindu pilgrimage destinations, the Char Dham Yatra, which also includes the Kedarnath Yatra, draws thousands of worshippers each year.

The inclement weather has made it harder for the pilgrims to make the tough journey. The region’s pilgrims are stranded in various locations due to the closure of numerous roads and routes as a result of the snowfall. To ensure the safety and welfare of the pilgrims, the local authorities have been working uninterrupted.

Despite this, large groups of followers continue to arrive at Baba’s court for the well-known Kedarnath and Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand. The people have been moving forth despite rain, snowfall, and cold, and their faith is becoming stronger in the face of all this. Devotees who are continuously reaching Chardham are losing their lives due to health issues.

So far, 21 lives have been lost, of which 8 passengers lost their lives in Kedarnath, 6 in Yamunotri, 4 in Gangotri, and 3 in Badrinath. According to reports, the situation has worsened because there isn’t enough infrastructure and services for the pilgrims. Numerous incidences of hypothermia and frostbite have been reported as a result of people being forced to brave the cold without enough shelter or protective gear.

Different people are losing their lives for different reasons too. The Health Department is working proactively and states that it has screened 80,000 passengers, and all people above the age of 55 are being screened.

Additionally, Minister Pemchand Aggarwal met with representatives from each municipal organization traveling on the Chardham Yatra route. He has also given Char Dham Yatra helplines to all organizations and asked the administrators to design urban development projects in a hill style. On the other side, the police were also given instructions to dispatch a DPR as soon as possible to locate land for abandoned animals.

With more than 13,000 pilgrims arriving every day, the authorities have pledged to take all reasonable steps to protect the safety and well-being of the pilgrims, and they have asked for everyone’s assistance in doing so. When the weather improves and the authorities decide it is safe for the pilgrims to travel the yatra, the registration prohibition is anticipated to be lifted.