Tomorrow’s Weather: IMD issues red, orange alerts in several districts of Uttarakhand on September 26 and 27; CM Dhami reacts | Today’s news
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued red alerts for five districts, orange alerts for five districts and yellow alerts for three districts on September 26. On September 27, red alerts were issued for four districts, orange alerts for four districts and yellow alerts for five districts.
CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has asked officials to remain extra vigilant in districts under red and orange alerts to keep a constant vigil on vulnerable areas and ensure that rescue and relief measures are in place in advance to respond quickly to any emergency. He also ordered district emergency operations centers to remain operational and directed authorities to immediately transfer weather warnings to the ground level.
The Meteorological Department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall in several areas, with extremely heavy showers likely at isolated places. Authorities have been advised to remain on high alert due to the risk of landslides and road disruptions in the hilly areas, rising water levels in rivers and streams and waterlogging in the plains, reports ANI.
Uttarakhand Weather Alert for September 26-27
On September 26, Saturday, the IMD put Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar on red alert. Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Almora have been given orange alert while Haridwar, Uttarkashi and Tehri Garhwal are under yellow alert.
On September 27, Sunday, Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar are forecast to remain on red alert. Orange alert has been issued for Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Nainital and Rudraprayag while Bageshwar, Almora, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar and Pithoragarh are under yellow alert.
Uttarakhand braces for intense rain, thunderstorms
On September 28, Monday, Nainital, Dehradun, Tehri, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Haridwar and Pauri Garhwal may witness thunderstorms with lightning, gusty winds of 30-40 km/h and intense to extremely heavy rain at some places.
Other parts of Uttarakhand may also see isolated thundershowers, lightning, squalls reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph and heavy to very heavy rainfall.
Meanwhile, areas located at altitudes of 4,000 meters and above may also experience snowfall from September 25 to 28, according to a Hindustan Times report.
“Safety of locals, tourists and pilgrims coming here is our top priority”: Dhami
Dhami said officials have been instructed to maintain extra vigilance along the Char Dham Yatra route keeping in view the weather forecast and warnings issued by the meteorological department and to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken.
“In view of the forecast and warning issued by the meteorological department, instructions have been given to the officials to keep extra vigilance regarding the Char Dham Yatra and make necessary arrangements,” Dhami said.
He added: “The safety of local residents as well as all tourists and pilgrims who come here is our top priority. We appeal to everyone to exercise caution in view of the weather conditions, avoid unnecessary travel and follow the instructions issued by the administration.”
“In view of the weather, instructions have been given to @uksdrf, @NDRFHQ and other rescue teams to remain on standby,” the CM concluded.
Uttarakhand steps up disaster preparedness
Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Minister Madan Kaushik also spoke to Minister Vinod Kumar Suman to take stock of the state’s weather conditions and preparedness. He asked officials to monitor the situation closely and be ready to respond to any emergency.
As directed by the chief minister, Suman held a meeting with representatives of all 13 districts on Friday and asked them to remain on high alert. He directed the district administrations to keep a close eye on vulnerable areas, ensure that emergency operation centers remain functional and immediately communicate any weather warning to the ground level.
Officials have also been told to continuously monitor water levels in rivers, streams, gad-gaderas and other water bodies. Arrangements should be made to move residents in nearby areas to safer locations if water levels begin to rise. JCBs and other necessary machinery are said to be deployed at strategic locations along landslide-prone roads to ensure quick reopening of blocked roads.
District Emergency Operations Centers have been instructed to function round the clock, with regular coordination between the Police, SDRF, Fire, Health, Public Works, Drinking Water, Power and other components. Relief and rescue personnel, along with required equipment and resources, should be deployed in vulnerable areas whenever necessary.
Suman also directed authorities to regulate traffic on mountain roads according to weather and road conditions and discourage unnecessary travel through areas prone to landslides and heavy rains. Residents living near rivers, streams and seasonal waterways should be regularly warned and cautioned not to approach river banks or enter fast-flowing waters, the statement said.
Authorities have been asked to maintain special vigil along Char Dham routes, major tourist spots and other vulnerable spots to protect pilgrims and tourists. All necessary arrangements should be made in advance so that rescue and relief operations can be initiated with minimum delay in case of emergency, it noted.
Suman urged the district administrations to maintain heightened vigilance and ensure that there is no lapse in preparedness due to the prevailing weather conditions. He also urged residents to follow the advisory issued by the meteorological department and district administrations, avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from rivers, streams and landslide-prone areas.
