‘Adi Kailash Yatra’ affected by snowfall
‘Adi Kailash Yatra’ affected by snowfall
B.D. Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, Oct 8
The early snowfall on the higher reaches of Himalayas has also affected the ‘Adi Kailash yatra’ as the Pithoragarh district administration has been cautious in granting permits for the yatra due to accumulation of snow on the yatra route
” To make the yatra safe and smooth, we are working in coordination with ITBP (Indo Tibetan Border Police), Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and local villagers and has stopped issuing inner line permits on the advise of these agencies as snowfall has blocked some portion of ‘Adi Kailash Yatra’ track,” said Jitendra Verma, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Dharchula.
In view of safety of the pilgrims, ITBP has returned 150 ‘Adi Kailash’ pilgrims from Kuti on Tuesday after widespread snowfall witnessed in the region.
The temperatures have dropped in lower areas of the border district after season’s first and widespread snowfall on the peaks of Panchchuli, Handling, Chipla Kedar and Milan region of Johar valley and Kuti, Nabhidhang and Adi Kailash region of Vyans valley on Tuesday.
According to Verma, he has cleared all inner line passes ( total 168) this morning as the weather was clear. “We have also advised tour operators, not to take further bookings to ‘Adi Kailash’ if the weather department forecasts rain or snow on ‘Adi Kailash’ route,” said the SDM.
The ITBP personnel are also helping pilgrims towards making their journey safe as pilgrims wwere not allowed to go beyond Kuti on October 7 following heavy snowfall on the ‘Adi Kailash’ route.
“We have this year issued a total of 29508 inner line permits in two phases of ‘Adi Kailash Yatra,” said the SDM.
