IMD Issues ‘Red’ Alert for Heavy Rainfall in Uttarakhand; Char Dham Yatra Suspended

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for Uttarakhand, warning of extremely heavy rainfall from July 7 to July 10. The alert has led to the suspension of the Char Dham Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage route in the state.

According to the IMD, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, and Pauri districts are expected to experience heavy rainfall on July 7, while Tehri, Pauri, Bageshwar, Almora, Nainital, and Champawat districts are likely to face heavy rains on July 10. The heavy downpour has already caused roads to be inundated in parts of Dehradun, the state capital.

In response to the forecast, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has instructed district magistrates to maintain high alertness across nine districts. The Char Dham Yatra, which was underway, has been halted until further notice. Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey has urged pilgrims to stop their journey and stay at their current location.

The Chamoli Police have also issued a warning, advising the public to refrain from traveling and stay in safe places. The road near the Baldouda bridge ahead of Vishnu Prayag on the Badrinath National Highway has been blocked due to the heavy rainfall. Rudraprayag Police have reported that the traffic has been halted on the Gaurikund National Highway-107 due to continuous heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, the IMD has predicted moderate to widespread light rainfall, combined with thunderstorms and lightning, across Northwest and Central India over the next five days. New Delhi is expected to experience a mostly cloudy sky with a chance of light rain, with temperatures reaching around 34 degrees Celsius on Sunday.

In other parts of the country, isolated heavy rainfall is expected in Himachal Pradesh and Punjab on July 7, East Uttar Pradesh on July 8 and 10, East Rajasthan on July 7 and 10, and East Madhya Pradesh from July 7 to 11. Uttar Pradesh may experience isolated very heavy rainfall on July 7.

The IMD has also forecast fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning over East and Northeast India. Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Bihar, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura are likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall from July 7 to 10.

Isolated very heavy rainfall is expected over Odisha on July 7, Arunachal Pradesh on July 8, 9, and 10, and Assam & Meghalaya on July 9 and 10. Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Rayalaseema, Telangana, Coastal Karnataka, North Interior Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka, and Kerala & Mahe are expected to experience isolated heavy rainfall from July 7 to 10.

Historical Context:

The Char Dham Yatra is a sacred pilgrimage route in Uttarakhand, India, that attracts thousands of devotees every year. The route connects four sacred shrines: Gangotri, Yamunotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The yatra is considered a significant spiritual journey for Hindus, and its suspension due to heavy rainfall is a rare occurrence.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issues alerts based on the severity of weather conditions. A ‘red alert’ is the highest level of warning, indicating extremely heavy rainfall that can cause significant damage and disruption to daily life.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for Uttarakhand, warning of extremely heavy rainfall from July 7 to July 10. • The Char Dham Yatra has been suspended due to the heavy rainfall, with pilgrims advised to stop their journey and stay at their current location. • Nine districts in Uttarakhand have been put on high alert, with district magistrates instructed to maintain high alertness. • Heavy rainfall has already caused roads to be inundated in parts of Dehradun, the state capital. • The IMD has predicted moderate to widespread light rainfall, combined with thunderstorms and lightning, across Northwest and Central India over the next five days. • Isolated heavy rainfall is expected in various parts of the country, including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, East Uttar Pradesh, East Rajasthan, and East Madhya Pradesh. • Sub-Himalayan West Bengal & Sikkim, Bihar, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam & Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram & Tripura are likely to experience isolated heavy rainfall from July 7 to 10. • Isolated very heavy rainfall is expected over Odisha on July 7, Arunachal Pradesh on July 8, 9, and 10, and Assam & Meghalaya on July 9 and 10. • Konkan & Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, Marathwada, Coastal Andhra Pradesh & Yanam, Rayalaseema, Telangana, Coastal Karnataka, North Interior Karnataka, South Interior Karnataka, and Kerala & Mahe are expected to experience isolated heavy rainfall from July 7 to 10.