Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand: The Alaknanda River is flowing in spate after continuous monsoon rain, and water levels are high, heading to Koteshwar Mahadev Cave in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand.
Images from the area showed the swollen river surging close to the entrance of the ancient cave temple. The heavy rains in the Himalayan region have been very persistent. There are fears for pilgrims and tourists visiting the shrine during the monsoon season.
VIDEO | Rudraprayag: The Alaknanda River in spate, with rising water levels reaching the Koteshwar Mahadev Cave. Authorities have advised devotees to exercise caution.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 28, 2026
(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/0sEBbo4i54
The government has advised that visitors should be extremely alert and very careful when visiting Koteshwar Mahadev Cave and to obey the safety recommendations given by local officials.
The Koteshwar Mahadev Cave, situated on the banks of the Alaknanda River and located close to Rudraprayag, is one of Uttarakhand’s most cherished places of worship and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The cave is packed with thousands of people every year in the holy month of Shravan and other auspicious occasions. But it is also prone to seasonal flooding during the monsoon.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast continued rainfall in many parts of Uttarakhand, raising the possibility of further rises in river levels, localized flooding and landslides in hilly districts. Disaster management authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with district officials to ensure public safety.
Teams from the district administration, police and disaster response agencies have been deployed to monitor the river and control the flow of visitors near vulnerable locations. Barricades and warning signs have been set up at critical points so people don’t walk into dangerous areas.
Residents living near the river should be on the lookout, be alert, and keep up to date with official weather warnings. They should avoid traveling through landslide-prone areas and refrain from crossing rivers and streams when they are overflowing, authorities had said.
Every year, the monsoon season brings a greater risk of flash floods and landslides across Uttarakhand’s mountainous terrain. The continuous rainfall often results in rivers such as the Alaknanda and Mandakini swelling, which in turn makes travel, tourism and pilgrimage activities in the region more difficult due to the heavy rainfall.
The situation is being monitored 24x7, officials said. Devotees and tourists should cooperate with local authorities and take safety into account when visiting religious places during the rainy season.
As the monsoon continues to play out all over the state, vigilance and adherence to official advisories will be required to minimize the risks and ensure the safety of pilgrims visiting one of Uttarakhand’s most cherished spiritual places.
