With the monsoon causing havoc in Uttarakhand, here’s something good for the pilgrims and tourists in town-After incessant landslides and extensive renovation, the Yamunotri National Highway (NH 198) is now partly open for the general public to commute through.
🌧️ Why it Matters
Torrential rains over the last one week brought down several landslides on the route around Maher, Silai Band, Ojri and Paligad and blocked one of the main access roads to the sacred pilgrimage site. It obstructed vehicular movement and also delayed the re-opening of the Char Dham Yatra affecting at least thousands of pilgrims.
🚧 What’s Open Now?
Sources at the, Uttarkashi Police said, the traffic jammed Yamunotri Highway, between Silai Band–Ojri and another section from Paligad to Kuthnaur, has been partially cleared by June 30, 2025 for partial vehicular movement. Traffic was now being allowed to pass cautiously under closely controlled conditions, while work continued to repair the damage by National Highways Department heavy machinery.
🧰 Ongoing Restoration Efforts
Clearance of debris: Rescue teams and PWD workers are clearing rocks, mud and trees from the affected areas.
Road Stabilization Engineers are shoring up slopes and in some areas using materials to prevent further erosion.
Drainage: Temporary diversions and new drains are being put in to reduce water pooling and landslide threat in the future.
⚠️ Safety Measures for Travelers
ONE-WAY OR BLOCKED-CONVOY Only traffic flow of pilgrims Staggered Release: Weather and road conditions determine staging.
Alternate Routes: Pilgrims on foot could be diverted a safer way through the Bheneli Gad trail along sensitive spots.
Advisories: Pilgrims are being advised by authorities to avoid travelling in the rain and to follow instructions on the ground.
⛅ The Larger Context
The IMD issued the Yellow Alert to Dehradun, Nainital, and several other places on June 28, suggesting that heavy showers and thundershowers are likely to hit the region over the weekend.
The partial opening of the yatra comes after 24 hrs of its suspension following landslides near Barkot and Uttarkashi which adversely impacted the travel.
Over 65 people have died and around 18 are still missing after landslides and rain-related incidents in June alone in Uttarakhand, including over 25 deaths in the past few days, which is more than twice the number of deaths recorded till June last year.
🛕 What Pilgrims Should Know
Refer to updates provided by the officials of Uttarkashi district and from the Char Dham Yatra portal before you plan your itinerary.
Bring your essentials, water, food, rain gear, warm clothing — there are still slick portions of road.
Expect stops on travel. Recovery work may temporarily close roads or limit travel.
✅ Final Take
Though the partial opening of the Yamunotri route has come as a relief, the condition of monsoon restoration work is abysmal. In volatile weather, the dangers of landslides still loom. Travelers are advised to take caution and check weather before moving towards Yamunotri during this period.
