Uttarakhand rains: Torrential rains continue to pound several districts of Uttarakhand, causing landslides in hilly areas. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert in the area for today. In the Rudraprayag region, authorities have announced the closure of schools. The Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers are overflowing and close to the danger mark following the relentless monsoon downpour, and heavy rainfall has disrupted traffic movement on 107 routes across the state, PTI reported.
“Very heavy to extremely heavy rain likely to occur at isolated places in Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and Champawat districts of Uttarakhand. Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and very intense to extremely intense spell of rain likely to occur at isolated places over Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and Champawat districts of Uttarakhand,” IMD’s latest press release said.
Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri and Bageshwar districts are on IMD’s orange alert amid a forecast of “heavy to very heavy rain.” Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Nanital, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garwal and Uttarkashi districts are at risk of flash floods today, said the IMD.
Quick answers to key questions
The torrential rains in Uttarakhand have resulted in rivers overflowing and landslides, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue red alerts for certain districts, including Dehradun and Nainital.
Authorities closed schools in the Rudraprayag region due to the ongoing torrential rains and the associated flash flood risk, ensuring the safety of students amid hazardous weather conditions.
Rainfall levels in Uttarakhand are monitored by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which provides data on river water levels and issues alerts based on observed conditions and forecasts.
Yes, residents near rivers are advised to avoid venturing close to waterways and to follow weather advisories issued by the IMD to ensure their safety during heavy rainfall events.
Currently, the IMD has issued red alerts for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, and Champawat, while orange alerts are in place for other districts like Bageshwar and Pauri.
“Surface runoff/ Inundation may occur at some fully saturated soils & low-lying areas over Area of Concern (AoC) as shown in map due to expected rainfall occurrence in next 24 hours,” the weather agency said.
According to ANI, Rudraprayag district administration advised residents and pilgrims to avoid venturing near rivers and streams and to strictly follow weather advisories issued by the IMD. The Alaknanda River is currently flowing at 623.153 metres, a few metres below its warning level of 626 metres and danger mark of 627 metres. The Mandakini River swelled to 622.230 metres, against a warning level of 625 metres and a danger level of 626 metres, according to official data.
At Ganganagar, the Mandakini River’s water level was recorded to be 799.200 metres, against the danger mark of 804 metres. At Gaurikund, the Mandakini recorded 1,974.820 metres, slightly below the danger mark of 1,976 metres.
On Thursday, “maximum temperatures remained markedly below normal to appreciably below normal in plains and hills of Uttarakhand,” IMD said. Based on rainfall data, Jakholi recorded the highest rainfall at 46 mm. Meanwhile, Ukhimath recorded 23 mm of rainfall and 20 mm in the Rudraprayag district headquarters.
IMD official warns of ‘extremely heavy rainfall’ on 11 July
Briefing about the weather situation in Uttarakhand, IMD Director CS Tomar on Thursday said, “According to our current forecast for the next six to seven days, light to moderate rainfall is likely at many places across the state over the next 24 to 48 hours. Thereafter, on July 11, almost all districts in the Kumaon region may witness extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall.”
He added, “For the next 24 hours, a Red Alert has been issued for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, and Champawat districts. The remaining districts are under an Orange Alert. For July 10, a Red Alert has been issued for Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, and Champawat. Orange Alerts have been issued for Bageshwar, Pauri, and Dehradun districts, while the remaining districts are under a Yellow Alert.”
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