DEHRADUN, July 28, 2026 — All four routes of the Char Dham Yatra — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath — remained open to pilgrims on Tuesday, even as an India Meteorological Department (IMD) orange alert for heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand stayed in force for a fourth consecutive week.
District disaster control rooms reported that while the yatra continues to operate normally, monsoon rains have triggered a series of short, localised closures across the pilgrimage corridor over the past month, with roads typically reopening within hours of being cleared.
Kedarnath Highway Briefly Blocked Near Sonprayag
A landslide struck the Kedarnath highway near Sonprayag in mid-July following heavy overnight rain, blocking vehicle movement for several hours before JCB teams restored the route the same day, according to local disaster management officials. The road remains open to Gaurikund, from where pilgrims continue the roughly 16-kilometre journey to the temple on foot, by pony, palki, or helicopter.
Helicopter operations serving the Kedarnath sector have been intermittently suspended this month whenever visibility or wind conditions deteriorate — a routine monsoon precaution rather than an indication of a wider disruption, officials said. Pilgrims travelling only to Kedarnath and Badrinath this season can bypass both the trek and the road exposure via the Do Dham Yatra by Helicopter, which covers both shrines from Dehradun in as little as a single day.
NH-58 Sees Intermittent Closures Near Joshimath
On the Badrinath route, National Highway 58 has experienced repeated short-duration closures near Joshimath this month, where boulder-fall-prone points at two locations have shut the road during periods of heavy rainfall before reopening within hours. The temple remains fully motorable, with no trek required. A regulated, one-way stretch near Joshimath continues to control traffic through narrow cuttings, officials added.
Yamunotri Remains Most Vulnerable Route
Of the four routes, Yamunotri (NH-134) continues to be the most affected by monsoon conditions, officials said, owing to narrow single-lane sections between Dharasu and Janki Chatti that remain incomplete under the state’s ongoing all-weather road project. The route has recorded the highest number of monsoon-season closures among the four dhams this year. Authorities confirmed that landslide mitigation funding sanctioned earlier this year for multiple sensitive points along the stretch has yet to be fully utilised in construction work.
The Gangotri route, by contrast, has remained largely stable through the season, with only isolated slide-prone sections that authorities say typically clear within a short window.
Fares and Travel Advisories
Transport officials confirmed that one-way fares on the corridor remain broadly unchanged this season: bus fares of approximately ₹700–800, shared taxis around ₹1,200, and helicopter fares for the Kedarnath sector starting near ₹7,800 for a round trip, varying by helipad. Full route timing and logistics are detailed in the Char Dham route map.
Authorities reiterated that night travel remains prohibited on all Char Dham routes between 10 PM and 4 AM, and that commercial vehicles operating on hill routes must carry a valid Green Card. Officials also confirmed that pilgrim registration continues to be mandatory, with QR-coded e-passes checked at designated checkpoints; pilgrims arriving without a valid pass are being turned back. Full registration steps are available via the Char Dham Yatra registration guide.
Outlook
Weather officials indicated that conditions are expected to remain unsettled through the coming days, with authorities advising pilgrims to confirm route status on the morning of travel rather than relying on earlier advisories. Travel patterns are expected to stabilise from September onward, as the region moves into its post-monsoon window — typically associated with clearer skies and fewer closures, according to seasonal data referenced in the best time to visit Char Dham guide.
Pilgrims planning travel in the coming weeks can review current Char Dham Yatra packages, including road-based, Do Dham, and full helicopter itineraries, before finalising travel dates.
For post monsoon season Sep 15th to Nov 15th is open for the booking Chardham Helicopter yatra
