The Char Dham Yatra this year has suffered its worst disruption in more than a decade, second only to the catastrophic Kedarnath floods of 2013. Continuous rains, flash floods, and landslides have brought the annual pilgrimage to a standstill for over 50 days, leaving behind significant human and financial losses.

According to official data, 80 people lost their lives, 114 were injured, and 95 remain missing due to weather-related incidents since April 1. The calamities also destroyed 229 houses and left 1,828 partially damaged, underscoring the widespread impact of the extreme weather conditions.

The pilgrimage to Gangotri and Yamunotri was halted for over 20 days each, while Badrinath and Kedarnath saw shorter suspensions of four days each. Since the yatra began on May 4, more than 40 lakh devotees have visited the four Himalayan shrines. However, from July onwards, heavy rains forced authorities to impose repeated bans on movement, causing a steep decline in pilgrim turnout.

Stakeholders said that excluding the pandemic years, this season may have caused the highest financial losses in recent history. “This has been the most challenging season in recent memory. Many bookings have been cancelled, and there are no new inquiries. September was our last hope, but numbers may fall far below last year’s,” said Sudhir Rana, a travel agency owner.

Among the worst-hit destinations is Gangotri, where the Dharali disaster caused severe damage. “It will take us a long time to recover. Most people are still coming to terms with the magnitude of their losses,” said Rajnikant Semwal, a resident of Mukhba.

The shortened duration of the yatra has worsened matters. With Diwali falling earlier this year, three of the four shrines are expected to close by October, reducing the earning window for locals. “Hotel occupancy rates in July, August, and now early September have plummeted to around 10%. Except for some business in May and June, the season has remained completely dry,” said Rakesh Ranjan, president of the Joshimath Hotel Association.

Echoing these concerns, Brijesh Sati, general secretary of Char Dham Teerth Purohit Mahapanchayat, said, “We had just begun recovering from the Covid-induced losses. This year’s natural disasters have pushed us back further.”

As the season heads towards an early closure, pilgrims, hoteliers, and traders remain uncertain about recovery, with many still grappling with the devastation caused by nature’s fury.

Akasa Air has strengthened its international operations by inaugrated its direct flight from Chennai to Abu Dhabi route with 6x weekly services. The flights, which began on 1st September, are now operating with enhanced frequency to meet growing travel demand.

This new route not only improves connectivity between Chennai and Abu Dhabi but also offers travellers the airline’s signature service at affordable fares. The route functions as a turnaround flight, with inbound and outbound operations at Abu Dhabi International Airport and a ground time of just two hours, ensuring efficiency and convenience.

This inaugral service reflects Akasa Air’s focus on expanding its global footprint and supporting seamless travel between India and the UAE. By offering more flight options, the airline continues to cater to both business and leisure travellers while reinforcing its reputation for reliability and customer-friendly service.

Air India Express, India’s first international value carrier, has commenced direct operations from Ahmedabad and Chandigarh to Bengaluru, further strengthening its domestic network. Services from Dehradun to Bengaluru are also set to begin on 15 September.

The airline will now operate twice daily from Chandigarh to Bengaluru and increase Ahmedabad–Bengaluru flights to twice daily from 16 September. These routes expand Bengaluru’s role as the carrier’s largest domestic hub, offering wider connectivity for both leisure and business travellers across India and select international destinations.

The inaugural flight from Chandigarh, operated by a new Boeing aircraft featuring a livery inspired by Punjab’s traditional Phulkari textile, departed at 16:40 and arrived in Bengaluru at 19:40. Earlier in the day, the first Ahmedabad–Bengaluru service took off at 11:00. To mark the occasion, a commemorative event was held at Chandigarh Airport, where the first guest was presented with a special boarding pass.

Aloke Singh, Managing Director, Air India Express, said: “Our new routes from Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, and soon Dehradun to Bengaluru reflect our commitment to creating meaningful connections between state capitals and major metros. With thoughtfully curated fares including our cabin-bag only Xpress Lite fare, comfortable seats, hot meals onboard, and our unique ‘Tales of India’ aircraft liveries, we deliver a warm, distinctly Indian travel experience with every flight. This expansion is another step towards building our pan-India network serving leisure and business travellers with efficiency.”

The new flights also expand one-stop connections through Bengaluru. From Ahmedabad, travellers gain access to 26 domestic destinations and three international points, while passengers from Chandigarh can connect to 22 domestic destinations and Kathmandu. Bengaluru continues to remain the largest domestic hub for Air India Express, handling more than 405 weekly flights to 34 domestic destinations and three international cities.

The airline’s Tales of India initiative continues to celebrate India’s artistic heritage, with over 50 unique aircraft tail designs. Additionally, travellers booking on these routes can access “Xpress Holidays,” the airline’s platform offering curated travel packages with flights, accommodation, transport, and activities.

With these additions, Air India Express strengthens its network strategy of enhancing point-to-point travel while also supporting wider connectivity through its Bengaluru hub.