Present Condition of Govindghat, Weather there is any possibility for a trip to Valley of flowers in 2013

Hello all,

I feel very sad to inform that Govindghat , our trek starting point for valley of flowers trek is destroyed almost completely in recent flood in Alaknanda river. Most of the hotels in lower region are swept away by Alaknanda. One helicopter which was parked on the bank of river Alaknanda is also washed away in the flood. Amy vehicles like tempo travelers, suv’s , two wheelers etc are also washed away in the river Alaknanda. Exact number could not be determined but they will be more than 200. Only bridge connecting Govindghat and Ghangaria is also washed out. Almost everyone in the Govindghat is ruined. It happened suddenly and many people got stuck in Ghagaria. Ghangria is a small remote village where generally supplies are very less and generally it is done by ponies. Most of the shopkeepers in the village and along the trek are very poor people who wait for the season for their earnings and due to this accident they do have any hope left for this year. Many houses in village Pulna is also washed out by floods in Pushpawati river.

Govindghat in 2011

Govindghat in good times. This picture was clicked in July 2011. You can see full parking full of vehicles. In below picture you can hardly see parking. Please note the location of bridge in this picture which is absent in below picture.

Govindghat after the floods.

Govindghat in 2011

Govindghat view from the trek to valley of flowers. Most of these hotels are washed out by fresh floods in the area. You can see the water level in above picture.

Currently Indo Tibet Border Police (ITBP) and Indian Army are doing rescue work. Now their main focus is on rescuing people. I hope if the weather is ok BRO (Border Road Organization) may start building of roads later this month. They have already opened some part of National Highway between Joshimath and Rudra Prayag.

Weather there will be trips to valley of flowers this year (2013).

It is possible only when the broken bridge is rebuilt on Alaknanda River at the start of the trek. I hope it will be done within a month and we may resume our trips to valley of flowers. Let us wait and watch. I feel that this destruction of nature is retaliation by nature to human activities in Himalayas. Lots of Dams are constructed in last 10 years. Even they will be constructing dam on river Alaknanda. Watch the picture below. I appeal all that let nature be nature else it will adjust itself to be as it want to be. Sometimes I feel that earth would have been heaven without human beings. I do not know why God (If it exists) created human beings.