Dehradun: As most parts of Uttarakhand are witnessing intense rains in the last week, the Indian Meteorological Department, Dehradun, issues orange alerts for heavy to very heavy rains for the Uttarkashi and Bageshwar districts. While in other districts-Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri, Dehradun, Pithoragarh, Almora, Champawat, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar-orange alert has been issued.
Heavy to intense rains predicted in Uttarkashi and Bageshwar
According to the IMD prediction, there is a possibility of heavy to very heavy rains, lightning accompanied by thunderstorms at some places in Uttarkashi and Bageshwar districts. Meteorologists have advised to exercise extra caution in landslide-prone areas in view of heavy rains. The administration has also issued an advisory for people to take precautions and not to go close to rivers and streams as most of the rivers are in spate due to the excessive rains.
Yellow alert for other districts
Meanwhile, on Friday, the other districts in Uttarakhand are likely to face heavy rains and lightning accompanied by thunderstorms at some places. Whereas, a yellow alert for heavy rain has been issued in some areas of Dehradun, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar and Nainital districts. There are chances of several rounds of heavy rains accompanied by thunder and lightning in these districts. In view of the heavy rains, extra vigilance has been advised in landslide prone areas.
Holiday was announced in schools on Thursday
Due to the heavy rainfall amid red alerts for intense rainfall in most parts of the state, schools in Tehri, Pauri, Dehradun, Bageshwar, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar declared a one-day holiday for all educational institutions from classes one to twelve on August 1.
Traffic halted on 240 routes in the state
People’s difficulties have increased further. There were 126 routes blocked on Wednesday, whereas the number increased to 240 on Thursday. The most affected is the state capital Dehradun with 22 road closures. Two motor roads are closed in Rudraprayag, five in Bageshwar, 10 in Tehri, three in Champawat and 11 in Tehri and 8 motor roads are blocked in Uttarkashi. Five roads in Almora, four in Chamoli, and one motor road is blocked in Udham Singh Nagar. Including PWD roads, National highways and PMGSY, a total of 240 roads are closed in Uttarakhand.
Cloudburst and landslide at various places on Wednesday night
As a red alert was announced on Wednesday for heavy rains in most of the districts, Cloudburst incidents occurred in Kedarnath, Tehri and Jageshwar causing loss of lives and property at several places. A cloudburst occurred in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, causing serious damage and leading to a sudden rise in the Mandakini River’s water level in Sonprayag. Emergency services, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district police, and local officials, are on high alert due to reports of the cloudburst in Lincholi. Approximately 1700 pilgrims were rescued on Thursday.