A group of 24 pilgrims from Patan district has become stranded in Uttarakhand during their Chardham pilgrimage. This situation has raised concerns among their family members. The group left for the pilgrimage on August 1. According to a conversation with the tour driver, the pilgrims are safe in Gangotri. However, family members have lost contact with them, leading to increased anxiety. The driver reported that all the pilgrims are secure, but the lack of communication has left families worried.
The group consists of relatives from the Raval community. They were travelling by train and reached Uttarakhand. The last contact with the group occurred during a storm on Tuesday night, and since then, all mobile phones have been switched off. Families in Harij, where some pilgrims live, have alerted authorities for assistance in locating their loved ones.
Pravinbhai Raval, the son of one of the pilgrims, expressed his concern. He mentioned that his parents and relatives had confirmed their safety before losing contact. They reached Gangotri but have not been able to communicate since the storm. All group members are reportedly over 50 years old, making the situation more worrying.
The driver had earlier informed that the vehicle is parked and the group is in a safe location. Besides the Patan group, over 400 people are also reported to be safe in Gangotri. This news provided some relief to the families, but without direct contact, worry persists.
In another incident, nine more tourists from the Vadavli village in Chansma are also stranded under similar circumstances. The village head has informed local authorities about the situation. While the driver confirmed the safety of the Vadavli group, families are still anxious due to the lack of communication.
The local administration in Patan has been actively involved in managing the situation. V.C. Bodana, the Additional Collector of Patan, confirmed that they are in touch with the control room in Uttarkashi and the tour operator. All pilgrims are reportedly safe, but there are connectivity issues due to adverse weather conditions. Once the situation improves, rescue operations will be initiated to bring the stranded pilgrims back to safety.
The Chardham pilgrimage is a significant religious journey for many Hindus, comprising the four sacred destinations of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. It attracts thousands of pilgrims every year. However, the journey can be challenging, especially during the monsoon season when weather conditions can change rapidly, leading to unforeseen circumstances.
As the families await updates, they are hopeful for their loved ones’ safe return. The local authorities are working diligently to ensure that all stranded tourists are accounted for and assisted. Continuous communication with the tour operators and local administration is crucial in managing this situation effectively.
In conclusion, while the situation remains tense for the families of the stranded pilgrims, the reports of safety from the tour driver provide a glimmer of hope. With the local administration’s efforts, it is expected that the stranded pilgrims will be safely reunited with their families soon.