An avalanche, a rapid flow of snow down a hill or mountainside, occurred at Gandhi Sarovar in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, on Sunday. A video shared by news agency PTI showed the snow rushing down the slopes. Rudraprayag senior superintendent of police, Dr. Vishakha Ashok Bhadane, confirmed that the avalanche took place around 5 am. Thankfully, there were no reports of any loss of life or property.
Avalanches often happen after recent heavy snowfall and can be identified by warning signs such as cracking sounds and visible fractures in the snow. This incident in Kedarnath serves as a reminder of the natural hazards that can occur in mountainous regions.
Earlier this month, the Kedarnath Dham saw a massive influx of devotees, with more than 7 lakh pilgrims visiting by June 6. According to the district magistrate of Rudraprayag, a total of 7,10,698 pilgrims made the journey to the famous 11th Jyotirlinga Kedarnath Dham in just 28 days since May 10.
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The Uttarakhand government has made registration mandatory for all pilgrims coming for the Chardham Yatra. State Chief Secretary Radha Raturi issued an advisory on May 22 for mandatory registration to ensure better management of the pilgrimage. Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also recommended forming a committee to develop a future strategy for managing the Chardham Yatra, emphasizing strict monitoring at the ground level.
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami mentioned that improved infrastructure, such as better roads and air traffic, has led to an increase in the number of pilgrims. Last year, 19 lakh pilgrims visited Kedarnath, and this year, 10 lakh have already made the journey.
The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand includes four sacred sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The River Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand. Pilgrimage season peaks during the summer, drawing many devotees to these holy sites. The Uttarakhand government is focused on ensuring the safety and smooth management of this annual pilgrimage.
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