The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Uttarakhand, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over the next 24 hours. The alert comes into effect from August 22nd, 2:05 PM and will remain in force until August 23rd, 2:05 PM, covering both hill and plain regions of the state.
Districts Under Alert According to the forecast, the following districts are likely to witness intense rainfall:
Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Nainital, Almora, and Udham Singh Nagar. Within these districts, vulnerable towns and regions specifically flagged include:
Kotdwar, Rishikesh, Gangotri, Kashipur, Kedarnath, Joshimath, Mussoorie, Munsyari, Lohaghat, Ranikhet, and Khatima, along with nearby areas.
The IMD has cautioned that rainfall could be extremely intense in short spells, raising the possibility of flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides in hill districts and waterlogging in the plains.
Potential Impacts Officials have warned that the intensity of the rainfall may lead to:
Disruption of road and air travel, especially on hilly routes prone to landslides such as Rishikesh–Badrinath and Rishikesh–Gangotri highways.
Overflowing rivers and streams, posing risks to residents living in low-lying and riverside areas.
Damage to standing crops, particularly in the Terai and hill districts, where heavy downpour could destroy fields and erode soil.
Power outages and communication breakdowns in vulnerable regions due to lightning and damage to power lines.
Preparedness by Authorities The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and district administrations have been placed on high alert.
Rescue teams from SDRF and NDRF are on standby, especially in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Nainital, which are highly disaster-prone.
District authorities have been instructed to mark vulnerable spots, issue alerts to panchayats, and ensure that rescue vehicles are stationed in every tehsil.
Signboards warning of landslide-prone areas are being put up, while emergency helplines have been activated for quick response.
Tourists and Pilgrims Advised Caution Given the ongoing Char Dham Yatra season and tourist rush to hill stations like Mussoorie and Nainital, authorities have urged visitors to check weather updates before travel. Pilgrims heading to Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Badrinath have been advised to avoid unnecessary movement during heavy showers and to follow instructions issued by local officials.
Government’s Appeal Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appealed to residents and tourists to stay alert and cooperate with the administration. “Safety must come first. I request everyone in the affected districts to avoid venturing near rivers, streams, and landslide-prone areas during the period of the alert. The government is fully prepared to respond, but people’s caution is equally important,” he said.
Advisory for Citizens
Avoid travel on vulnerable hill routes unless essential.
Stay indoors during thunderstorms and lightning.
Keep emergency kits ready with water, food, and first-aid supplies.
Farmers should take measures to protect standing crops and livestock.
Residents in plains districts like Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar should be cautious of waterlogging and local flooding.
Looking Ahead Meteorologists have noted that monsoon conditions remain active over North India, with Uttarakhand likely to witness above-normal rainfall activity over the next few days. While the Orange Alert highlights a higher level of risk, the situation will be closely monitored, and further updates will be issued as conditions evolve.
For now, Uttarakhand remains on high alert, balancing the risks of extreme rainfall with proactive measures to safeguard lives and property.
