Helicopter services for the Kedarnath Dham Yatra have been suspended due to adverse weather
July 1, 2026: Helicopter services for the Kedarnath Dham Yatra have been suspended until further notice due to adverse weather conditions caused by the monsoon, the Rudraprayag district administration announced on Wednesday. The decision has been taken in accordance with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) safety guidelines, with passenger safety being the top priority. District Magistrate Vishal Mishra said operations will resume only after weather conditions improve and the required clearances are granted.
Following the suspension order, helicopter operators including Thambi Aviation, Himalayan Heli, Rajas Aero, United Helicharters, Pilgrimage Aviation, Chipsan Aviation and Trans Bharat Aviation have halted services and returned their helicopters to their respective bases. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall in Rudraprayag district over the next four days, prompting authorities to urge residents and pilgrims to remain alert and follow official advisories.
The Uttarakhand government has activated emergency response measures and begun sending SMS-based weather alerts after the IMD issued a three-day Orange Alert for heavy rainfall. Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said the Char Dham Yatra is continuing, but persistent rain could reduce the number of pilgrims in the coming days. Officials said the administration is closely monitoring the situation and issuing regular weather updates as heavy rainfall continues in the Kedarnath region.