Dehradun: The Indian Meteorological Department, Dehradun issued a yellow alert for heavy rains in most of the districts including Dehradun. According to the weather forecast for Monday, heavy rains are expected in most of the parts of Tehri, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Nainital, Pauri and Dehradun. Moderate to heavy rainfall activity very likely to continue over Uttarakhand during next five days with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall during next 24 hours.
Water level of Ganga River is close to warning level in Haridwar-Rishikesh
Due to torrential rains in the mountainous regions, the Ganga and its tributaries have overflowed on Sunday and in Haridwar and Rishikesh, the Ganga ghats and banks are waterlogged. At around 10 am on Sunday, the Ganga River was flowing 15 cm above the warning line (339.65 meters). The local administration has alerted residents, and water police personnel are deployed to ensure safety.
Impacts of intense rainfall
Due to the yellow alert for heavy rains and thunderstorms, there is a risk of flooding in low-lying areas of the state. Flash floods are particularly likely in these regions and near rivers. Moreover, the heavy rainfall may trigger landslides, rockfalls, and mudslides in certain areas. Roads, highways, and bridges could be blocked or washed out as a result of these natural events. Additionally, the intense rainfall might increase water flow in rivulets and rainwater streams, potentially causing bank erosion. Pilgrims and tourists traveling to Char Dham or other locations are advised to stay alert and travel only if necessary.
Road blockages and decline in pilgrim influx due to heavy rainfall
Frequent rain-induced landslides have blocked a total of 154 roads, including PWD roads, National highways, and PMGSY roads. Pilgrim footfall has declined due to landslides and heavy rains as Badrinath received 856 pilgrims, Gangotri received 529 pilgrims and Yamunotri had 301 pilgrims on August 11.The Kedarnath pilgrimage was completely halted after the cloudburst incident on July 31 due to severe damage to the Kedarnath trek route.
