Valley of flowers trip, 2013 : Govindghat Washed Away by Alaknanda!

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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 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 after the floods. You can see that the Iron Bridge is not visible in the picture. This is Sikh Gurudwara. you can compare this picture with above picture which was taken in July, 2011. All the vehicles in the parking are washed out. Can you spot some two three bikes in the parking.
Govindghat after the floods. You can see that the Iron Bridge is not visible in the picture. This is Sikh Gurudwara. you can compare this picture with above picture which was taken in July, 2011. All the vehicles in the parking are washed out. Can you spot some two three bikes in the parking.

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.
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.

Pulna Village, Half of this village is washed out.

Pulna Village on the way to Ghangaria. Half of this village has been washed out by floods in Pushpawati River.
Pulna Village on the way to Ghangaria. Half of this village has been washed out by floods in Pushpawati River.

Present Road condition on the way to Govindghat

Road Position on the way to Govindghat. But I think the roads will be soon repaired. Out BRO is working very hard.
Road Position on the way to Govindghat. But I think the roads will be soon repaired. Out BRO is working very hard.

Present Road condition on the way to Govindghat

Somewhere between Chamoli and Joshimath. You can see the road conditions.
Somewhere between Chamoli and Joshimath. You can see the road conditions.

If you have any questions please ask below in comment section. I will be answering them as soon as possible.

34 thoughts on “Valley of flowers trip, 2013 : Govindghat Washed Away by Alaknanda!”

  1. Hey, any news about the trek in 2015. Could we visit the valley of the flowers? Who s the best team to join in case we want to go for the trek?

    Reply

    • Hello Mam,
      Departures for 2015 will be like this:-

      Valley of Flowers Trek 2015
      28th June – 4th July (Open)
      5th July – 11th July (Open)
      12th July – 18th July (Open)
      19th July – 25th July (Open)
      26th July – 1st Aug. (Open)
      2nd Aug. – 8th Aug. (Open)
      9th Aug. – 15th Aug. (Open)
      16th Aug. – 22nd Aug. (Open)
      23rd Aug. – 29th Aug. (Open)
      30th Aug. – 5th Sept. (Open)
      6th Sept. – 12th Sept. (Open)
      13th Sept. – 19th Sept. (Open)
      20th Sept. – 26th Sept. (Open)
      As per the best time is concerned kindly visit https://valleyofflowers.info/best-time-to-visit-valley-of-flowers/ this link. To know more about valley of flowers opening in 2015 kindly follow https://valleyofflowers.info/valley-of-flowers-opened-in-2014/ this link.

  2. What is recent situation of gurudwara sahib in govindghat , govind dham and humkunt sahib.Is it safe to travel this year and how healthy is environment there.plz tell

    Reply

    • Hello,
      The Yatra started on 25th May itself and everything is fine, the trek is even better than it was earlier. Everything is fine just plan your travel and go. you can see our page Will Valley of Flowers open in 2014? This page has many pictures of the trek between Govindghat and Ghangaria.

    • Yes Valley of flowers is possible next year. In fact I have been to Valley of flowers this year after the disaster in first week of October. The good news is that the flowering area and most of the valley is intact except a little part of the trek to the valley of flowers. I will be soon posting a new post with pictures of the valley of flowers after the disaster. Keep following the blog.

  4. hi devkant,i am planning to go go valley of flowers on 26th or 27th of july???
    is it possible?i mean is the route safe?

    Reply

  5. I think the roads will open up pretty soon. The locals and BRO are one kick ass team and usually open the roads very quickly. Roads are national highway and quite frequently used my military, its very likely the route will be opened very soon. I cant say anything about damage in 3km buffer zone or any other significant damage inside the valley of flowers. Do you have any news about aftermath of rise river levels inside the VOF, specially last few kilometers leading to glacier? I went to VOF last year in august, it was very awesome place. My advice will be to avoid the place, let the place get back on its feet. Let the facilities improve. No point going there this year and get stuck/suffer to do lack of facilities. it will be quite frustrating if you would have to abandon the trip mid way or at some point. If you still want to go, VOF is open still Sep 30, so please double check everything and go there over prepared. Best of luck.

    Reply

    • Hello Spirit,
      Thanks for posting. Nice views and yes the BRO has opened the road from Joshimath to Govindghat yesterday for small vehicles, it will soon be opened for buses. But the main concern is beyond Govindghat as discussed in recent posts.

  6. Dear Devkantji,
    I am visiting valley of flowers in August second week. Is it possible or shall I cancel my trip?. Please let me know

    Reply

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