Kedarnath Snowfall: Continuous Snow for 2 Days, Temperature Plunges to -16°C

Dehradun: After a long spell of dry weather, nature has finally blessed Uttarakhand with rainfall and snowfall, transforming the state’s high-altitude regions into a winter wonderland. Continuous snowfall over the past two days has not only impacted daily life but also given Kedarnath Dham a divine and ethereal appearance, as if adorned by nature itself.

Since the onset of precipitation, Kedarnath has been experiencing heavy snowfall, with temperatures plummeting to a chilling -16°C. Snow accumulation in and around the temple complex has reached up to 3–4 feet.

Despite these extremely challenging conditions, personnel from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Rudraprayag Police remain stationed at the shrine, ensuring security with unwavering dedication. Braving severe cold, strong snow-laden winds, and heavy snowfall, the forces are patrolling the temple premises and sensitive areas continuously.

Notably, on 26 January, the ‘Himveer’ (snow warriors) unfurled the national flag amid heavy snowfall, showcasing their unbroken spirit of patriotism.

Even after the temple gates were closed for the winter, the security forces continue to oversee the temple’s safety, monitor government properties, and ensure smooth execution of ongoing master plan works. The police administration has issued special directives to personnel to remain extra vigilant in view of weather alerts and the risk of avalanches.

The Rudraprayag district administration stated that despite the challenging terrain, the morale of the security forces remains high, and Kedarnath Dham’s security arrangements are fully operational.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) has issued warnings for snowfall and avalanches in high-altitude areas and urged all districts to stay alert. According to the Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE), snow and avalanche conditions are expected to continue in many high Himalayan regions until Wednesday evening.

DGRE has placed Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Rudraprayag districts in the Orange Category (Category-3), indicating deep and unstable snow along most avalanche-prone routes. Pithoragarh falls under the Yellow Category (Category-2), where small avalanches are possible due to unstable snow in some areas. Bageshwar is in the Green Category (Category-1).

Authorities have appealed to residents and visitors to take weather warnings seriously and avoid unnecessary risks.