June 13, 2025 | Uttarkashi — The revered Char Dham Yatra has hit a major snag as helicopter services from Yamunotri to Gangotri remain suspended for the third consecutive day due to adverse weather conditions in the Himalayan region.
No Charter from Yamunotri Since Last 3 Days
Dense fog, heavy cloud cover, and poor visibility have grounded all helicopter flights at the Kharsali Helipad (Yamunotri) since June 10. This has left hundreds of pilgrims stranded at Yamunotri, many of whom were scheduled to proceed to Gangotri as part of the sacred pilgrimage route.
The scheduled route is:
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07:45 AM: Departure from Kharsali Helipad, Yamunotri
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08:30 AM: Arrival at Harsil Helipad, Gangotri
Pilgrims then travel 22 km by taxi to reach the Gangotri Temple.
However, due to dense fog and zero visibility, helicopters are not operational, and there is no official update on when flights will resume.
Pilots: “No Fly Without Clear Sky”
Speaking on the situation, one of the helicopter pilots said,
“We are strictly instructed not to operate under low visibility conditions. Safety of passengers is our top priority. Without clear skies, it is impossible to fly in this terrain.”
Yamunotri and its surrounding areas have been experiencing continuous cloudy and foggy weather, making flying conditions highly unsafe.
Ground Video from Yamunotri Shows Thick Fog Covering Helipad Area,
A ground video from Yamunotri, captured by a stranded pilgrim, has now surfaced and further confirms the severity of the weather.
In the video, one can clearly see dense fog blanketing the entire helipad area, including the helicopter stationed there. Visibility is extremely poor, and the fog levels are dangerously high, making any flight attempt extremely unsafe.
Tourists Left in Limbo, Demand Refund or Adjustment
Stranded pilgrims have expressed frustration over the lack of clarity from tour operators and helicopter service providers. Many have been forced to extend their hotel stays, incurring additional expenses with no confirmed date of departure.
“We understand weather is not in human hands, but at least the operators should offer us refund options or future travel adjustments,” said one of the pilgrims stuck in Yamunotri.
Several tourists have started demanding refunds or at least credit for future travel, as many airlines and hoteliers have so far refused reimbursement despite the ongoing suspension.
Local Authorities Yet to Issue an Advisory
As of now, there has been no official advisory or estimated timeline from local administration or helicopter companies on when services will resume. The situation is entirely dependent on weather improvements, according to sources at the Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Department.
