Uttarakhand rains: Roads closed, authorities on high alert as several rivers brimming with water
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the situation after schools in three districts were given a holiday due to inclement weather conditions
Uttarakhand is grappling with widespread disruptions due to continuous heavy rainfall, leading to rivers breaching warning and danger levels. This has prompted the issuance of alerts, school closures in affected districts, and significant road blockages on major national highways. Authorities are on high alert to manage the situation and advise residents and tourists to exercise caution and stay informed.
Uttarakhand is grappling with widespread disruptions due to continuous heavy rainfall, leading to rivers breaching warning and danger levels. This has prompted the issuance of alerts, school closures in affected districts, and significant road blockages on major national highways. Authorities are on high alert to manage the situation and advise residents and tourists to exercise caution and stay informed.
Uttarakhand is grappling with widespread disruptions due to continuous heavy rainfall, leading to rivers breaching warning and danger levels. This has prompted the issuance of alerts, school closures in affected districts, and significant road blockages on major national highways. Authorities are on high alert to manage the situation and advise residents and tourists to exercise caution and stay informed.
Several rivers in Uttarakhand were flowing at or above warning and danger levels on Thursday following continuous rainfall, prompting authorities to issue alerts. Heavy rain also disrupted road connectivity across the hill state.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'orange alert' for heavy rain in Dehradun, Chamoli, and Bageshwar districts on Thursday, and a 'yellow alert' for the remaining districts of the state. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the situation with Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman and directed all state agencies to remain on high alert to deal with any eventuality.
Rivers including the Alaknanda, Mandakini, and Bhagirathi are reportedly brimming with water, forcing the authorities to suspend schools in three districts. Schools up to Class 12 in Dehradun, Chamoli, and Bageshwar districts reportedly remained closed on Thursday in view of the heavy rain warning.
According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Alaknanda at Rudraprayag was flowing at the danger level of 627 metres at 6 am and rising, while the Mandakini was recorded at 626.20 metres at 7 am — 0.20 metres above its danger level of 626 metres.
The Bhagirathi at Devprayag was flowing at the warning level of 462 metres and rising, while the Raisi (Banganga) river in Haridwar was recorded at 230.09 metres — 0.09 metres above the warning level.
In view of the rising water levels, the Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Authority decided to issue warnings through loudspeakers to people living along riverbanks, asking them to move to safer places, reported news agency PTI.
The Badrinath National Highway was blocked near Helang in Chamoli district due to debris, while the Gangotri National Highway was closed near Dharasu Nalupani in Uttarkashi district. The Yamunotri National Highway was also blocked at Silai Band, Durbil, Jangalchatti, and Sayanachatti due to continuous landslides and debris.
He appealed to residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel and check the latest weather and road conditions before undertaking journeys.