Uttarakhand is preparing for another spell of heavy rain after landslides and boulder falls blocked more than 72 roads across the state on Wednesday. The disruptions were reported mainly in the hill districts as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of thunderstorms, lightning and intense rainfall in the coming days.
Pithoragarh was the worst affected, with 14 road closures, followed by Nainital with 12 and Chamoli with 10. Pauri recorded seven closures, while Bageshwar, Rudraprayag, Tehri and Uttarkashi reported six each. Four roads were blocked in Dehradun and one in Haridwar.
Yamunotri route remains under watch
Pilgrim movement on the Janki Chatti-Yamunotri route in Uttarkashi continued under the supervision of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel after a retaining wall collapsed near Bhangeligad on August 23.
The Public Works Department (PWD) was working to rebuild the damaged section. Shardul Gusain, Uttarkashi's district disaster management officer, said repairs could take seven to eight days.
“The PWD department is working to reconstruct the damaged stretch near Bhangeligad, which will take over seven to eight days to repair, and SDRF teams have been deployed to assist the pilgrims on their way to Yamunotri Dham,” he said.
Three villages in Mori tehsil were also without electricity after the Yamunotri feeder was damaged. Officials said restoration work was underway.
Rain deficit despite local heavy showers
Uttarakhand recorded 4.4 mm of rain in the 24 hours ending 8.30 am on Wednesday, against the normal 11.6 mm, resulting in a 62% rainfall deficit.
However, several locations received substantial showers. Chakrata recorded 45 mm, while Dhanaulti received 37 mm. Pauri recorded 27.3 mm, and Dharchula in Pithoragarh received 18.8 mm.
IMD issues yellow alert
The IMD's Dehradun centre has forecast continued monsoon activity, with a yellow alert in place. Thunderstorms, lightning and intense to very intense spells of rain are expected at isolated locations from August 27 to September 1.
Light to moderate rain and thundershowers are likely at many places between August 30 and September 1. The hilly districts are expected to remain particularly vulnerable to intense rainfall through August 29, while scattered showers are likely in the plains.