Winter has arrived early in Uttarakhand’s higher reaches.Hemkund Sahib in Chamoli district witnessed the season’s first snowfall on September 17, while rain and dense fog swept across the Badrinath and Kedarnath valleys. The sudden change in weather has brought down temperatures across the Yatra region and prompted authorities to step up safety measures for pilgrims.Located at an altitude of around 15,000 feet, the sacred Sikh shrine was covered in a fresh layer of snow on Thursday morning. Rain showers accompanied the snowfall, turning the Gurudwara complex and the surrounding peaks white.For devotees at Hemkund Sahib, the first snowfall of the season became a memorable part of the pilgrimage. Many stopped to take in the snow-covered surroundings and offer prayers as the weather changed around them.According to the Hemkund Sahib Management Trust, the second phase of the pilgrimage has picked up after the monsoon, with around 1,500 to 1,800 devotees arriving at the shrine each day.On September 16 alone, 1,894 pilgrims visited Hemkund Sahib, taking the total number of visitors this season to 3,26,828. The nearby Valley of Flowers has also been attracting visitors, with many tourists combining the trek with their visit to Hemkund Sahib.Trust manager Seva Singh said the pilgrimage was continuing smoothly, with arrangements in place to manage the increasing number of visitors.But conditions have been more difficult around Kedarnath.The Rudraprayag district has been experiencing continuous rainfall and dense fog, with poor visibility adding to concerns along the pilgrimage route. The district administration has issued precautionary advisories, particularly for pilgrims travelling through areas vulnerable to landslides.One such concern is near the Chirbasa helipad on the Kedarnath pedestrian route, where large boulders remain lodged on the hillside. Heavy rain could loosen the rocks and create a danger for people travelling below.Because of the conditions, road clearance and widening work in the area has been temporarily stopped. Pilgrims are also currently not being allowed to travel from Gaurikund and Sonprayag towards Kedarnath until the weather and route conditions improve.Those returning from Kedarnath towards Gaurikund, however, are being escorted under supervision to ensure they can move through the affected stretches safely.The Rudraprayag police and district administration have also appealed to pilgrims and tourists to avoid taking unnecessary risks during the spell of bad weather. Travellers have been advised to check the latest weather updates before beginning their journey and follow instructions issued by officials on the ground.Pilgrims have also been asked to stop at designated shelters if visibility deteriorates or weather conditions become unsafe. Authorities have stressed that reaching the shrine should not come at the cost of personal safety.The snowfall at Hemkund Sahib comes as the pilgrimage season enters its later phase, offering an early glimpse of winter in Uttarakhand’s high Himalayas. While the fresh snow has transformed the landscape around the Sikh shrine, rain, fog and landslide concerns are keeping officials on alert in the Kedarnath valley.For pilgrims still travelling through the region, the message from authorities remains clear: enjoy the mountains, but don’t ignore the weather.