Uttarakhand has been put on heightened alert for an intense spell of rain through September 28, with the India Meteorological Department issuing red and orange warnings for several districts and cautioning against landslides, flash floods, waterlogging and disruption of road connectivity. The most severe spell is expected Saturday, when extremely heavy rainfall is forecast at isolated places, while very heavy rain is likely in parts of the state Sunday.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed district administrations and disaster-management agencies to remain on high alert and ensure rapid response in vulnerable areas. Pilgrims, tourists and commuters have been advised to avoid unnecessary journeys, particularly in the hills, as rain could trigger landslides and sudden rises in rivers and streams.
Five districts under red alert
For September 26, the IMD has placed Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar under a red alert. Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Almora are under an orange alert, while Haridwar, Uttarkashi and Tehri Garhwal have been placed under a yellow warning.
The warning pattern will shift Sunday, with Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar moving into the red-alert category. Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Nainital and Rudraprayag will be under an orange alert, while Bageshwar, Almora, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar and Pithoragarh will face a yellow warning.
The IMD’s statewide forecast shows heavy rain Friday, extremely heavy rain Saturday, very heavy rain Sunday and another spell of heavy rainfall Monday. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds are also expected during the period, while snowfall is possible at elevations above 4,000 metres.
Landslide threat rises
Authorities have warned that prolonged and intense rainfall could destabilise slopes and trigger landslides, particularly along vulnerable hill roads. Low-lying areas could face waterlogging, while streams and rivers may rise rapidly following concentrated rainfall in their catchment areas.
More than 33 roads were already blocked across Uttarakhand Friday, including 14 in Chamoli and 10 in Dehradun, with teams working to restore connectivity. Further rain could complicate clearance operations and lead to additional closures, particularly on routes passing through landslide-prone stretches.
Officials have been asked to keep machinery and emergency-response teams ready at sensitive locations and maintain close surveillance of rivers and drainage channels. People living near unstable slopes, streams and other vulnerable locations have also been advised to remain alert and follow instructions issued by local administrations.
Travel advisory for pilgrims
The weather warnings are particularly significant for pilgrims and tourists travelling through Uttarakhand’s mountainous districts. Authorities have advised people to check road and weather conditions before setting out and avoid travelling through vulnerable areas during periods of intense rain.
The IMD forecast indicates a significant improvement after September 28, with no statewide heavy-rain warning currently listed for September 29, September 30 and October 1. Until then, however, the combination of extremely heavy rain, thunderstorms and already disrupted roads has prompted authorities to maintain heightened preparedness across the state.