Manimahesh Yatra suspended amid heavy rain, landslide threat

The Chamba District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) on Monday ordered the suspension of the ongoing Manimahesh Yatra with immediate effect, citing continuous heavy rainfall, landslides and road blockages that have put pilgrims’ safety at serious risk.

District Magistrate-cum-Chairman of DDMA Mukesh Repaswal, issued the order on under Section 30 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Earlier, the administration in Bharmour had halted the yatra temporarily.

The directive follows a rain alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which warned of further downpours in the coming days, increasing the chances of accidents and mishaps along the pilgrimage route.

Authorities have been instructed to make arrangements for safe shelter, food, drinking water and medical assistance for pilgrims already present on the route. The ADM, Bharmour, has been directed to coordinate with the NDRF, SDRF, police and mountaineering teams to ensure the safe rescue of devotees stranded in vulnerable areas.

Additional police personnel will be deployed to maintain law and order, regulate vehicular traffic and prevent further movement of pilgrims beyond designated checkpoints. The DDMA has also requested the Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendents of Police of Pathankot, Doda, Kishtwar, Jammu and Kangra to issue advisories in their districts, restrict the onward movement of pilgrims towards Chamba, and widely disseminate the suspension order to avoid further crowding on the route.

The Departments of Health, Food & Civil Supplies and the PWD have been tasked with ensuring the availability of emergency healthcare, essential commodities and restoring road connectivity at the earliest.

The order will remain in force until the situation improves, said Repaswal urging pilgrims to avoid travelling to Chamba and stay put at safe locations until further advisories are issued. For assistance in case of emergencies, people may contact the toll-free helpline 1077 and the DDMA office at 01899-226950.