Avalanche At Gandhi Sarovar In Kedarnath: Video Captures The Moment

An avalanche was reported to have occurred over Gandhi Sarovar in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand on Sunday. A video that was shared by the news agency PTI showed the avalanche descending rapidly down the slopes.

"It was at approximately 5 am today that an avalanche from above Gandhi Sarovar in Kedarnath took place," stated Rudraprayag's senior superintendent of police (SSP), Dr Vishakha Ashok Bhadane, as per ANI's report. No loss of life or property was reported.

Photo Credit: PTI

Avalanche At Gandhi Sarovar - WATCH

An avalanche is characterized as a swift movement of snow down a hill or mountainside, with warning signs including cracking sounds, visible fractures in the snow, and recent heavy snowfall. No casualties or damage to property were reported from this incident.

Earlier in the month, Kedarnath Dham, a revered pilgrimage site, had seen a massive influx of devotees, with the number exceeding 700,000 by June 6. According to the district magistrate of Rudraprayag, a total of 710,698 pilgrims had made their journey to the world-renowned 11th Jyotirlinga Kedarnath Dham over the span of just 28 days since May 10.

Mandatory registration has been implemented for all pilgrims intending to participate in the Chardham Yatra, as stated by Uttarakhand's chief secretary Radha Raturi in an advisory issued on May 22. A PTI report highlighted that Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla had suggested that a committee be established to devise a strategy for future Chardham Yatra management, emphasizing the need for stringent monitoring of yatra management at the ground level.

Uttarakhand's chief minister, Pushkar Dhami, remarked, "Due to the development of roads, air traffic, and other infrastructure facilities, the number of pilgrims visiting the state for the Chardham Yatra has doubled compared to last year. While a total of 19 lakh pilgrims visited Kedarnath last year, 10 lakh pilgrims have already visited this year."

The Char Dham pilgrimage circuit in Hinduism consists of four sacred sites: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The River Yamuna originates from the Yamunotri Glacier in Uttarakhand. The pilgrimage season peaks in Uttarakhand for the Char Dham Yatra annually during the summer months.