Heavy rainfall warnings cause school closures and temporary stop of pilgrimages in crucial districts of Uttarakhand
In the face of an approaching monsoon surge, Uttarakhand authorities have sprung into action, implementing a series of safety measures to protect its residents and infrastructure from potential floods and landslides.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) have issued layered alert warnings (red, orange, yellow) across various districts, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall from August 12 onward, with red alerts for high-risk districts like Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Pauri, Tehri, and Bageshwar.
Residents, especially those living near rivers, tributaries, streams, low-lying areas, and floodplains, are urged to remain vigilant and stay indoors during heavy rainfall, ready to move to higher ground to avoid flood risks.
The Kedarnath Yatra has been temporarily suspended until August 14 to ensure pilgrim safety amid adverse weather conditions. Schools in vulnerable districts such as Pithoragarh, Dehradun, and Uttarkashi have been ordered closed due to heavy rainfall and associated risks like landslides and road disruptions.
Due to landslides and flooded roads in hilly areas, multiple routes are blocked, leading authorities to advise restricted travel and provide alternative arrangements for movement and rescue. District administrations have deployed emergency teams, including State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), police, and volunteers, to carry out relief, evacuation, and search-and-rescue operations in flood-affected or landslide-prone zones.
Authorities are maintaining round-the-clock vigilance of weather updates and river water levels, preparing to escalate precautionary measures as required. Notably, the formation of a temporary lake over 400 metres long in Harsil is a cause of concern, as continued rain could cause it to overflow and impact downstream areas in Uttarkashi and parts of Tehri.
The current situation serves as a stark reminder of the fragile balance between nature and human settlement in the Himalayan region, and the need to adapt to a climate where extreme rainfall events are becoming increasingly frequent. Long-term recommendations from the disaster management authority include expanding early warning systems and community-based evacuation drills.
In addition, 24x7 control rooms are operational in all affected districts, and Tehri and Pauri administrations are working jointly to keep a check on landslide-prone slopes along National Highway 7. Residents are advised to stay away from riverbanks, avoid non-essential travel, and report any signs of land movement or slope cracks to local authorities immediately.
Officials are urging people to use only verified weather updates from IMD and avoid rumours circulating on social media. It is crucial that everyone plays their part in ensuring a successful outcome for the disaster management measures, with public cooperation and adherence to advisories being key.
[1] India Meteorological Department [2] Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority [3] Dehradun District Administration [4] Uttarakhand Disaster Response Force [5] Uttarakhand Police
- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) have issued critical alerts for various districts, including politics related updates about heavy rains and potential weather-induced disasters.
- To mitigate the effects of heavy rains, evacuation, and rescue operations are being carried out by various organizations like the Uttarakhand Disaster Response Force (UDRF), Uttarakhand Police, and local volunteer groups in general-news noteworthy locations such as Dehradun District.
