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Time of India
5 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
‘Chorabari glacier near Kedarnath retreating 7m per year'
Dehradun: The Chorabari glacier, located above Kedarnath in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district, is retreating at an average rate of nearly 7m per year, according to Doon-based Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Just below the glacier is Chorabari Tal, a moraine-dammed lake that breached in June 2013 after heavy rainfall and rapid snow and ice melt, triggering catastrophic floods in Kedarnath that killed over 4,000 people and destroyed more than 3,300 homes. WIHG shared this data in response to an RTI query filed by Dehradun-based activist Amit Gupta, noting that the glacier's ice-covered area shrank from 6.1 sq km in 2009 to 5.91 sq km in 2019. The institute said the retreat rate is consistent with broader glacial recession trends across the Indian Himalayas driven by rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns. While the decline may appear modest, experts said that it signals long-term glacial degradation. Manish Mehta, senior scientist at WIHG, told TOI that there are many other glaciers in the Himalayas that were steadily retreating, like the Chorabari glacier. "In the case of Chorabari, the rate of retreat would have been significantly higher if not for the thick debris cover, which acts as an insulating layer, slowing down the glacier's melting", he added. A 2018 study by IIT Mumbai supports WIHG's findings. Using Landsat satellite data to track glacial retreat between 1976 and 2016, it found an average area loss of 0.8% per year, reinforcing concerns about sustained ice loss in the region. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Experts caution that continued glacial melt increases the risk of lake outburst events, and stressed the urgent need for sustained monitoring and broader climate action to reduce warming in the region. "It's clear that global warming and human activities are directly affecting the glacier near Kedarnath. There's an urgent need to regulate such activities and define a carrying capacity to prevent further damage. We must ask ourselves, at what cost are we pursuing development? It is our responsibility to protect Kedarnath's sanctity and ecological balance," said RTI activist Amit Gupta. WIHG has been monitoring the Chorabari glacier since 2003 through satellite data and field studies to track changes in snow cover and glacial dynamics. In 2011, the institute installed three automatic weather stations near the glacier to study local meteorology and surface mass balance, but they were destroyed in the 2013 floods.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Monsoon mayhem in U'khand: 65 dead in rain-related incidents in June, double last year's toll
Dehradun: At least 65 people died in June, the first month of this year's monsoon season in Uttarakhand, double the 32 deaths recorded during the same period last year, according to data from the state emergency operation centre. Of the 65 deaths, 45 were due to road accidents and 20 to natural disasters such as landslides and flash floods. Another 18 people are missing -- nine each due to road mishaps and natural calamities. Among the worst incidents was Thursday's accident in Rudraprayag, where a bus carrying Char Dham pilgrims plunged into the Alaknanda river after colliding with a speeding truck, killing five. Seven passengers are still missing with officials saying their chances of survival are slim. On Sunday, a cloudburst in Badkot area of Uttarkashi triggered a landslide that hit a labour camp, killing two construction workers. Seven others are still missing even as heavy rain continues in several parts of the state. The regional meteorological centre has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in nine districts for Monday. Experts say monsoon arrived slightly early this year and began with intense rainfall, triggering widespread landslides and slope failures. They also flagged ongoing road-widening works in the hills, which have destabilised slopes by leaving loose debris at mid-elevations. "Given the volume and intensity of the early monsoon rain, it was inevitable that this debris would come down," said Piyoosh Rautela, former executive director of Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA). Neighbouring Himachal Pradesh also reported similar slope failures. Geologists warn that the natural angle of repose – the steepest angle at which loose material can remain stable – has been disrupted, significantly increasing the risk of landslides and road collapses. Reacting to the 100% rise in fatalities from road accidents and natural disasters, Anoop Nautiyal, founder of Doon-based think-tank, SDC Foundation, said, "This rise in fatalities coincides with a 29% increase in Char Dham pilgrims, with 18.2 lakh visiting the shrines between June 1 and 28, up from 14.1 lakh last year," he said. Nautiyal stressed the need for a systemic response. "The state govt must stop treating each disaster in isolation. With the monsoon intensifying in July and Aug, what's needed is action, not just condolences and announcements," he said.
Economic Times
09-05-2025
- Economic Times
Char Dham Yatra sees 26% dip in pilgrims in first week, but officials attribute it to better planning
Char Dham Yatra Sees 26% Dip in Pilgrims in First Week The Char Dham Yatra, one of India's most important pilgrimages, has seen a 26% drop in the number of pilgrims during its first week this year. Since the yatra began on 30 April, around 2.9 lakh devotees have visited the four shrines, nearly 1 lakh fewer than the 3.9 lakh who came during the same period in say this decline is actually a result of better planning. To stop overcrowding in the early days, the government started online registration 40 days before the yatra and delayed offline registration until just a few days before the start. Uttarakhand Tourism Minister Satpal Maharaj said that this year, online registration began on 20 March, much earlier than usual. Aadhaar verification was made compulsory, and all documents were properly checked before pilgrims were allowed to move forward. He added that more offline booking counters were set up this year, which also helped manage the of the Doon-based SDC Foundation Anoop Nautiyal said the drop in numbers is also because of the staggered opening of the shrines. In 2024, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri opened on 10 May, and Badrinath on 12 May. But this year, Yamunotri and Gangotri opened on 30 April, Kedarnath on 2 May, and Badrinath on 4 May. This spread-out schedule has led to a slower build-up of pilgrims. Nautiyal said the number of visitors is likely to increase later in May, especially during the summer holidays. He also urged the government to treat the yatra as a sacred and environmentally sensitive event, not just a tourist attraction. 'It needs careful planning and respect,' he far, more than 25 lakh people have registered for this year's yatra: 8.7 lakh for Kedarnath, 7.8 lakh for Badrinath, 4.5 lakh for Gangotri, and 4.1 lakh for Yamunotri. Inputs from TOI
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Time of India
Char Dham yatra sees 26% dip in pilgrim footfall in opening week, officials credit ‘improved planning' to prevent overcrowding
Dehradun: The Char Dham yatra has seen a 26% drop in pilgrim footfall within a week of its start (on April 30), compared to the same period last year. By Tuesday, 2.9 lakh devotees had visited the four Himalayan shrines, down from 3.9 lakh in 2024, a decline of nearly 1 lakh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officials attributed the dip to "improved planning and staggered registration", which helped streamline the pilgrim flow. To avoid overcrowding during the initial days, the govt opened online registration 40 days before the yatra began, while offline registration started just a few days before the annual pilgrimage commenced. State tourism minister Satpal Maharaj said that following last year's experience, online registration was launched on March 20, well ahead of the start date. Further, Aadhaar verification was made mandatory and documents were "thoroughly checked before pilgrims were allowed to proceed." "We opened more offline booking counters and as a result of proper planning, we were able to prevent overcrowding," said the minister. Commenting on the drop in numbers, Anoop Nautiyal, founder of Doon-based think-tank, SDC Foundation, said, "The decline can be largely attributed to the staggered opening schedule this year. In 2024, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri opened on May 10, while Badrinath opened on May 12. In contrast, this year, Kedarnath opened on May 2, after the portals of Yamunotri and Gangotri opened on April 30, followed by Badrinath on May 4. This has contributed to a slower and more scattered build-up of pilgrim momentum." He added that despite the slow start, the yatra is expected to peak in the latter half of May, based on trends observed last year, when summer vacations begin and more pilgrims arrive. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We urge the govt and all stakeholders to treat this pilgrimage not just as a tourism event, but as a spiritually sacred and environmentally-delicate exercise, one that requires balance, planning, and foresight," Nautiyal said. As of Wednesday, over 25 lakh people had registered for the yatra: 8.7 lakh for Kedarnath, 7.8 lakh for Badrinath, 4.5 lakh for Gangotri, and 4.1 lakh for Yamunotri. Dehradun: The Char Dham yatra has seen a 26% drop in pilgrim footfall within a week of its start (on April 30), compared to the same period last year. By Tuesday, 2.9 lakh devotees had visited the four Himalayan shrines, down from 3.9 lakh in 2024, a decline of nearly 1 lakh. Officials attributed the dip to "improved planning and staggered registration", which helped streamline the pilgrim flow. To avoid overcrowding during the initial days, the govt opened online registration 40 days before the yatra began, while offline registration started just a few days before the annual pilgrimage commenced. State tourism minister Satpal Maharaj said that following last year's experience, online registration was launched on March 20, well ahead of the start date. Further, Aadhaar verification was made mandatory and documents were "thoroughly checked before pilgrims were allowed to proceed." "We opened more offline booking counters and as a result of proper planning, we were able to prevent overcrowding," said the minister. Commenting on the drop in numbers, Anoop Nautiyal, founder of Doon-based think-tank, SDC Foundation, said, "The decline can be largely attributed to the staggered opening schedule this year. In 2024, Kedarnath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri opened on May 10, while Badrinath opened on May 12. In contrast, this year, Kedarnath opened on May 2, after the portals of Yamunotri and Gangotri opened on April 30, followed by Badrinath on May 4. This has contributed to a slower and more scattered build-up of pilgrim momentum." He added that despite the slow start, the yatra is expected to peak in the latter half of May, based on trends observed last year, when summer vacations begin and more pilgrims arrive. "We urge the govt and all stakeholders to treat this pilgrimage not just as a tourism event, but as a spiritually sacred and environmentally-delicate exercise, one that requires balance, planning, and foresight," Nautiyal said. As of Wednesday, over 25 lakh people had registered for the yatra: 8.7 lakh for Kedarnath, 7.8 lakh for Badrinath, 4.5 lakh for Gangotri, and 4.1 lakh for Yamunotri.
