As heavy monsoon rains continue to lash Uttarakhand, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several districts, leading the state administration to enhance precautionary measures. Residents and pilgrims are urged to remain cautious and avoid rivers, non-essential travel, and hilly areas prone to landslides. Schools and Anganwadi centers in affected regions will remain closed as a safety measure due to the forecasted intense rainfall.
Authorities have advised both locals and tourists to adhere strictly to weather advisories and instructions from the Meteorological Department and district administrations. The state has witnessed widespread rainfall in recent days, with heavy downpours and lightning expected in districts like Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri, and Pauri Garhwal. Pilgrims planning the Char Dham Yatra are cautioned to check weather updates before embarking on their journey to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.
The risk of landslides, falling rocks, and other weather-related dangers in mountainous areas is significantly heightened due to continuous rainfall. Vehicular movement on the Badrinath National Highway has been disrupted by debris accumulation near Kanchannala, while heavy rains have damaged a newly built bridge over the Tons River at Nanda Ki Chowki, affecting traffic between Dehradun, Vikasnagar, and Himachal Pradesh. Anticipating very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in various parts of the state, authorities have cautioned residents in regions like Purola, Barkot, Gangotri, and others to stay vigilant and avoid vulnerable areas until weather conditions improve.
