Uttarakhand Under Orange Alert: Heavy Rains Swell Rivers, Disrupt Yatra!
Uttarakhand Under Orange Alert: Heavy Rains Swell Rivers, Disrupt Yatra!
Uttarakhand is on high alert with an Orange Warning for heavy rains! Rivers Alaknanda & Mandakini are swelling, leading to road closures & disrupted pilgrimages. Stay safe & informed.
Uttarakhand is currently grappling with an "Orange Alert" as heavy rainfall continues to lash the state, prompting concerns over rising river levels and widespread disruptions. The monsoon, which became active across Uttarakhand by Wednesday, has led to a critical situation, particularly in districts like Rudraprayag.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Dehradun has issued a four-day heavy rainfall warning for Rudraprayag, urging residents to remain highly vigilant. The Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, vital waterways in the region, are showing signs of swelling, pushing authorities to closely monitor water levels through the District Disaster Control Room. Precautionary measures are already in place, with officials prepared to issue alerts via WhatsApp groups and public announcements if rivers reach warning levels.
The continuous downpour has significantly impacted transportation and pilgrimage routes. The Badrinath National Highway in Chamoli district and parts of the Kedarnath Yatra route in Rudraprayag have experienced disruptions due to falling debris and stones. As a critical safety measure, the movement of vehicles and pedestrians on the Sonprayag-Munkatiya road in Rudraprayag has been temporarily suspended, directly affecting pilgrims. Residents and tourists are strongly advised to avoid rivers, streams, and landslide-prone areas and to strictly adhere to official advisories.
In response to the evolving monsoon situation, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami chaired a review of the state-level pre-monsoon mock drill. This exercise, conducted across all 13 districts at the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) in Dehradun, was designed to bolster preparedness for monsoon-related disasters, enhance inter-departmental coordination, and assess the effectiveness of the state's disaster response mechanisms. The collective efforts underscore the state's determination to mitigate the impact of the heavy rains and ensure public safety.
