Uttarakhand rains trigger flash flood risk in Dehradun: rivers overflow; Nainital, other districts on IMD alert | Today’s news
Uttarakhand rains: Torrential rains continue in several districts of Uttarakhand, triggering landslides in hilly areas, amid a red alert by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). In the Rudraprayag region, authorities have announced the closure of schools. The Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers are overflowing and close to the danger mark after the relentless downpour. In addition, heavy monsoon downpour disrupted traffic on 107 routes across the state, PTI reported.
“Very heavy to extremely heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and Champawat districts of Uttarakhand. Thunderstorm accompanied by lightning and very heavy to extremely heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places over Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and Champawat districts of Uttarakhand,” said the latest IMD press release.
Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri and Bageshwar districts are on IMD orange alert amid “heavy to very heavy rain” forecast. Almora, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Champawat, Dehradun, Nanital, Pauri Garhwal, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Tehri Garwal and Uttarkashi areas are under threat of flash floods today.
“Surface runoff/flooding may occur on some fully saturated soils and low-lying areas above the Area of Concern (AoC) as shown on the map due to the expected occurrence of rainfall in the next 24 hours,” the weather agency said.
According to an ANI report, the Rudraprayag district administration has advised residents and pilgrims to avoid venturing near rivers and streams and strictly follow the weather advisory issued by the IMD. The Alaknanda River is currently flowing at a depth of 623,153 meters, a few meters below the warning level of 626 meters and the danger mark of 627 meters. The Mandakini River swelled to 622,230 meters against the warning level of 625 meters and the danger level of 626 meters, according to official data.
In Ganganagar, the water level in the Mandakini river was recorded at 799,200 meters against the danger mark of 804 meters. At Gaurikund, Mandakini recorded a level of 1,974,820 meters, slightly below the danger mark of 1,976 meters.
On Thursday, “maximum temperatures remained significantly below normal to appreciably below normal over the plains and hills of Uttarakhand,” the IMD said. In terms of rainfall data, Jakholi recorded the highest rainfall of 46 mm. Meanwhile, Ukhimath recorded 23 mm of rainfall and 20 mm in Rudraprayag district headquarters.
An IMD official warns of “extremely heavy rainfall” on July 11.
Briefing on the weather situation in Uttarakhand on Thursday, IMD Director CS Tomar said, “As per our current forecast for the next six to seven days, light to moderate rainfall is likely at many places across the state in the next 24 to 48 hours. After that, on July 11, almost all districts in the Kumaon region may witness extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall.”
He added, “For the next 24 hours, a red alert has been issued for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital and Champawat districts. The remaining districts are under orange alert. On July 10, a red alert has been issued for Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Pauri, Buri, Champawat and Burswart Orange districts, while the remaining districts are under yellow alert.”
