DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand continued to witness intense monsoon conditions on Thursday, with persistent rainfall disrupting normal life across several parts of the state with the MET department (IMD) maintaining weather warnings for multiple districts.
Our correspondent reports that while landslides and swollen streams forced the closure of 111 roads, the adverse weather also prompted administrations of multiple districts to suspend classes in schools as a precautionary measure.
According to the IMD, the monsoon remained active over the State, with forecasts indicating continued rainfall across the state. The weather department issued an Orange Alert for Dehradun, Chamoli and Bageshwar districts, warning of heavy rainfall and associated weather conditions. A Yellow Alert was issued for the remaining districts, advising people to remain cautious in view of the prevailing weather situation.
The capital city, Dehradun, received continuous rainfall from midnight onwards. In view of the forecast, Secretary of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman appealed to residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel. He advised people to obtain updated weather information before undertaking any journey and to strictly follow official advisories issued by the authorities.
Meanwhile, district administrations yesterday announced the closure of schools in several districts as a safety measure. Schools remained closed in Dehradun, Chamoli, Bageshwar and Pauri Garhwal, where heavy rainfall warnings had been issued. In Dehradun, District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan ordered a holiday for all government, aided and private schools as well as Anganwadi centres. Similar precautionary measures were adopted in Pauri Garhwal after heavy rain alerts were issued for the district.
The decision to suspend educational activities was taken to minimise risks to students, teachers and staff, particularly in areas vulnerable to landslides, waterlogging and overflowing seasonal streams. Authorities advised educational institutions to remain alert to further instructions depending on the evolving weather conditions.
Our Voice of Uttarakhand Correspondent adds, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the state’s preparedness following the heavy rain warnings. He held discussions over the phone with Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman to assess the prevailing situation across the state. During the review, the Chief Minister directed all departments associated with disaster management to remain on high alert and ensure uninterrupted coordination.
The Chief Minister has instructed the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), district administrations, police, electricity department and health department to remain in a state of readiness round the clock. He directed all agencies to function in coordination and respond immediately in the event of any emergency arising from the continuing rainfall.
Emphasising the importance of public safety, the Chief Minister said that rescue and relief operations should begin without delay wherever required. He underlined that preventing loss of life would remain the administration’s highest priority during the ongoing monsoon period and instructed officials to maintain constant vigilance in vulnerable areas.
The impact of the monsoon was reflected in the state’s road network, where heavy rain, landslides and overflowing mountain streams disrupted transportation. According to official information available till Wednesday evening, 111 roads across the State remained closed due to weather-related incidents. Restoration work was underway, with concerned departments making continuous efforts to reopen affected routes.
The closure of roads affected connectivity in several hilly areas, where landslides and debris repeatedly blocked vehicular movement. Authorities continued deploying machinery and personnel to clear debris and restore normal traffic. Officials remained engaged in monitoring vulnerable stretches that are prone to repeated disruptions during periods of heavy rainfall.
In view of the continuing adverse weather, Dhami directed all disaster management and relief agencies to exercise heightened caution and maintain preparedness for any emergency. Officials were instructed to ensure prompt communication between departments and quick deployment of rescue resources wherever required.
While several districts experienced heavy rainfall, meteorologists observed that many parts of Uttarakhand have recorded below-normal rainfall during the current monsoon season. Weather experts attributed this unusual pattern to the influence of a weak western disturbance and the limited activity of low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal.
According to meteorologists, monsoon rainfall in the Himalayan region is strengthened when moisture-laden monsoon winds interact with active western disturbances. This interaction generally produces widespread and intense rainfall over the mountains. However, during the current season, both the western disturbances approaching northern India and the weather systems forming over the Bay of Bengal have remained comparatively weak, resulting in uneven rainfall distribution across the state.
Meanwhile, the weather department data indicates that for the past two consecutive years, monsoon rainfall has remained below normal in four to five districts of Uttarakhand. Experts explained that the weak atmospheric systems have caused rainfall to become highly localised, with some regions receiving heavy downpours while neighbouring areas experience relatively little precipitation.
In Haldwani, weather conditions changed repeatedly throughout Wednesday. The day began with cloudy skies before brief sunshine appeared during the first half of the day. By the afternoon, dark clouds gathered once again over the city. Residents, however, received some relief as prolonged heavy rainfall did not occur.
During the previous 24 hours, Haldwani recorded 10 mm of rainfall. The city’s maximum temperature was recorded at 30 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature stood at 24 degrees Celsius. The Meteorological Department has forecast further rainfall in Haldwani over the next two days and has continued weather alerts for the region.
Conditions in Nainital remained markedly different, with the hill town witnessing cloud cover and dense fog from Wednesday morning. Rain began around 11.30 a.m., while thick fog significantly reduced visibility during the afternoon hours, affecting movement in the popular tourist destination.
The persistent rainfall also influenced local business activity in Nainital. According to the report, vendors selling umbrellas and raincoats experienced increased demand as visitors sought protection from the rain. During the last 24 hours, Nainital recorded 33 mm of rainfall.
Officials have advised residents, tourists and pilgrims to remain vigilant as heavy rainfall is expected to continue in several parts of the state. People have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel, particularly through landslide-prone areas, and to obtain the latest weather updates before commencing journeys. Authorities also appealed to the public to cooperate with district administrations and emergency services during the ongoing monsoon period.
With orange alerts in force for three districts, yellow alerts covering the rest of the state, over a hundred roads remaining blocked, and multiple districts suspending school operations, the administration has intensified its preparedness to deal with any emergency arising from the continuing spell of monsoon rain. Rescue agencies remain on alert while restoration work continues across affected areas, even as meteorologists monitor the evolving weather systems that are expected to influence rainfall over Uttarakhand in the coming days.
Dheeraj reports on governance, public services, jobs, and regional developments across Uttarakhand. He specialises in recruitment news, public-sector updates, and civic issues that impact everyday citizens. His reporting brings accuracy, context, and a grassroots perspective to local journalism.
