The Char Dham Yatra and Hemkund Sahib Yatra in Uttarakhand have been postponed until September 5, 2025, due to a red and orange alert issued by the Meteorological Department for heavy rainfall. This decision was announced on Monday, September 1, 2025, by Vinay Shankar Pandey, Secretary to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister and Commissioner of Garhwal Division.

The postponement comes as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of pilgrims, with several districts in Uttarakhand placed under alert. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has emphasized that the safety of pilgrims is the government's top priority. Authorities are also closely monitoring the Nanak Sagar Dam and providing assistance to residents in affected areas, including relocation efforts.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of potential landslides and flash floods in Uttarakhand due to the heavy rainfall. IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra cautioned that heavy rainfall could lead to flooding in rivers and impact cities and towns downstream. The IMD also noted a slight increasing trend in September rainfall since 1980, with the normal monsoon withdrawal date from Rajasthan shifting from September 1 to September 17, indicating increased rainfall activity in September.

The Char Dham Yatra is an annual pilgrimage to four holy sites in Uttarakhand: Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. It is one of the most significant religious journeys in Hinduism, attracting a large number of devotees from across the country and the world. Hemkund Sahib is a prominent Sikh shrine also located in Uttarakhand.

Previously, in June 2025, the Char Dham Yatra was suspended for 24 hours due to heavy rain warnings. Authorities instructed officials to halt pilgrims in various locations, including Haridwar, Rishikesh, and Srinagar. The administration in concerned districts was placed on alert, and relief and rescue teams were activated.

With the current postponement in effect until September 5, the state government is closely monitoring the weather conditions and will make further decisions based on the situation. Pilgrims are advised to follow the guidelines issued by the administration and to avoid traveling to the Yatra sites until the weather improves.