Kinnaur DM orders immediate closure of Kinner Kailash Yatra 2025
Shimla, Aug 19,
The District Magistrate of Kinnaur, Dr Amit Kumar Sharma, on Tuesday issued an order for the immediate closure of the Kinner Kailash Yatra 2025 in view of persistent heavy rains, shooting stones, and dense fog, conditions that have already led to casualties and pose a serious risk to pilgrims.
Acting on a proposal submitted by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Kalpa, the DM invoked Section 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, directing that the pilgrimage route remain closed for the rest of the year unless further orders are issued. Authorities have warned that any pilgrim attempting to continue on the yatra will be escorted back to the base camp, with action taken under the Disaster Management Act.
This is not the first time the Kinner Kailash Yatra has faced interruptions. Over the past few years, the yatra has been suspended multiple times due to landslides, flash floods, and severe weather conditions. In 2022 and 2023, authorities had to evacuate hundreds of stranded pilgrims, sometimes using helicopters, after trails became treacherous and emergency shelters were set up along the route.
Also read:Kinnaur administration halts Kinner Kailash yatra as weather turns unsafe
The Superintendent of Police, Kinnaur, has been directed to deploy adequate personnel, in coordination with Home Guards and the Forest Department, to ensure safe evacuation of pilgrims still on the trail. The SDM, Kalpa, is coordinating with all departments, tourism associations, and local panchayats to enforce the closure strictly.
Officials stated that the decision was necessary in the interest of public safety, as the Meteorological Department predicts continued rainfall and cloudy conditions in the region for the next 5–7 days. Authorities have also appealed to devotees and the public to refrain from attempting the trek and to stay updated through official advisories.
Noteworthy that the Kinner Kailash Yatra typically takes place during the summer months, generally from late June to early September. This timing coincides with the monsoon and post-monsoon period in Himachal Pradesh, when the weather is comparatively more stable and the snow along higher altitudes starts melting, making the trek feasible.
However, because the yatra passes through high-altitude and rugged terrain in Kinnaur district, it remains vulnerable to sudden rainfall, landslides, shooting stones, and fog, which can lead to temporary suspensions for safety reasons
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