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

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.

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Can senior citizens visit valley of flowers?

Senior citizens also want to come to this heaven on earth but they are confused about whether they can do it or not. We have been taking senior citizens to the valley. There are options of helicopter and ponies to skip trekking.

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What type of shoes is appropriate?

When you go for trek you should wear appropriate type of shoes so that your main concentration is on trekking and enjoying nature. We have seen that shoes of many people breaks while trekking and sometimes people develop blisters.

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Minimum age to visit valley of flowers

Whether kids can do the trek or not? What is the minimum age requirement? Please read this full page to get the answer to this question. Couples with young children willing to visit valley of flowers can go through this page.

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Minimum number of days required to explore the valley

Minimum number of days recommended going for trek to the valley. Why we need an extra day for the trip. Read full report with pictures of the valley.

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How difficult is Valley of flowers trek.

Trek difficulty of the Valley of Flowers trek. Vital statistics are given here. How much altitude is to be gained every day while trekking? How much distance is to be covered every day? What is Fitness level required for the trek?

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How to reach Valley of Flowers ?

Search convenient options on how to reach valley of flowers from Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradoon. click to know more

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Best time to visit valley of flowers

Valley of Flowers is snow clad for most of the year and it becomes accessible only in the month of June. Officially Valley of Flowers opens First June every year. It is very important to know the best time to visit valley of flowers. Valley of Flowers is always beautiful.click to know more