Full Breakdown
Heavy Rain Triggers Char Dham Suspension and Rescue Operations in Uttarakhand (Sept 26-27, 2026)
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Core Weather Event and Alerts
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for heavy rain in Bageshwar, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar on Saturday, September 26, 2026 and a red alert for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri and Haridwar on Sunday, September 27, 2026. An orange alert covered additional districts, while the remaining districts were under a yellow alert. The IMD forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand, with isolated extremely heavy rain possible, and warned of thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds up to 60 kmph.
Impact on Pilgrimage and Schools
Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop ordered the suspension of the Char Dham Yatra and the Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage from the afternoon of September 26 until September 27. Schools up to Class 12 were closed in Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Nainital and Rudraprayag to keep pilgrims off vulnerable routes.
Stranded Trekkers and Rescue Plans
179 trekkers, including six foreign nationals, were stranded on routes in Uttarkashi (136 persons) and Bageshwar (43 persons). The groups were spread across peaks such as Mt Sudarshan, Mt Bhagirathi-II, Mt Jogin-I, Mt Shivling, Mt Satopanth and Shrikhanth, as well as passes like Kalindi Pass and Auden’s Col.
Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan directed the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority to launch helicopter evacuations from 6 a.m. on the following day, weather permitting, with each aircraft carrying a satellite phone for communication in areas lacking mobile coverage.
Data & Statistics
- Rainfall: IMD recorded very heavy rainfall of 12–20 cm on September 27; isolated spots received >20 cm.
- Road disruption: More than 80 roads were blocked, including the Badrinath highway at Sirobagad after a recurring landslide.
- Alerts: Red alerts covered 9 districts across the two days; orange alerts covered 9 districts; yellow alerts covered the remainder.
- Trekkers: 179 individuals stranded; 6 foreigners; 89 expedition members, 18 at Kalindi Pass base camp, 29 at Auden’s Col base camp.
Official Statements & Responses
- Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials on September 25 to remain on high alert and urged residents and tourists to avoid travel near rivers, streams and landslide-prone zones.
- Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop issued a letter to district magistrates ordering the suspension of the Yatra and enforcing the alerts.
- Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan told officials that rescue operations should be carried out “on a war footing” to ensure safe evacuation of all trekkers.
On-the-Ground Reports
Local reports described dense fog in Kedarnath Dham and intermittent snowfall in higher elevations of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The combination of heavy rain, steep terrain and saturated soils heightened the risk of landslides, flash floods and road blockages. No casualties were reported at the time of writing, and authorities kept AIIMS Rishikesh and Srinagar Medical College on alert for any injuries arising from the evacuations.