Dehradun: The Indian Meteorological Department, Dehradun, has issued an orange alert for Bageshwar and Chamoli districts for Tuesday with a forecast of very heavy to intense rains accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning in some parts of these districts. For remaining districts, IMD has issued yellow alerts predicting heavy to very heavy rains, thunderstorms along with lightning in some parts.
Intense spells of rain at isolated places of the state
Since there has been an orange and yellow alert for different parts of the state in the last several days, light to moderate rainfall was reported in isolated parts of Uttarakhand in the last 24 hours. Additionally, the regional MET department predicts that thunderstorms accompanied by lightning or intense spells of rain may occur at isolated places in other districts of Uttarakhand within the next 24 hours. The districts covered by the yellow alert include Nainital, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Dehradun, Tehri, and Pauri.
Intense rainfall can produce flash flooding
With the prediction of orange alert, rainfall of 15 to 30 mm is expected in some places which can cause flooding in low-lying areas and near rivers. Apart from this, landslides, rockfall and mudslide due to heavy rain or intense rainfall may occur at isolated places. Moreover, blocking/washout of roads/highway/ bridges may happen due to landslides and rockfalls. Additionally, this intense rainfall can produce flash flooding and increase in water flow in rivulets and rainwater streams that may result in bank erosion at isolated places
Tourists are advised to remain alert and travel only if necessary
For Chamoli and Bageshwar districts, IMD also issued an advisory for residents and travelers to stay informed and take necessary precautions during this weather event. According to the IMD, pilgrims/tourists travelling to Char Dham or other locations are advised to remain alert and travel only if necessary. They are also advised to keep a watch on steep slopes while travelling. People residing near major rivers and their tributaries, rivulets and streams and low-lying areas and flood plains are to remain alert as well.
125 roads are blocked in the state
Recent heavy rainfall in various parts of Uttarakhand caused landslides in the hills blocking the roads and highways. Including PWD roads, National highways and PMGSY roads, a total 125 roads are blocked in the state due to the landslides. According to the state emergency control room report, efforts are underway to open the roads in the state. Due to the adverse weather and cloudburst incident in kedarnath on Wednesday night, the number of pilgrims reaching Char Dham has also declined as only 1275 pilgrims visited Badrinath, while 823 in Gangotri and 1338 in Yamunotri on 5 August.