Overview
- Kullu and Kinnaur administrations suspended the Shrikhand Mahadev and Kinnaur Kailash yatras after orders issued on Sunday, June 28 following expert inspections that flagged severe route hazards.
- Joint teams from the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering, revenue and forest departments found active glaciers covering stretches, perched and fallen boulders, blocked passages and steep loose slopes.
- Officials warned the monsoon, likely to activate around July 1, raises the risk of landslides, rockfalls and flash floods and would make rescue operations on the identified stretches extremely difficult.
- Administrations ordered removal of all temporary camps, tents and ration stores within three days and directed police and forest teams to enforce a complete ban on movement along the routes.
- Authorities said they will review conditions only after weather and terrain improve and routes receive formal safety certification, and they have strongly advised devotees not to attempt the pilgrimages.