Rivers in Uttarakhand at risk, pilgrims warned due to heavy rains

- Public life in Pithoragarh and Bageshwar has been disrupted

Dehradun, Ta. 30 June 2022, Thursday

If you are thinking of going to Badrinath Dham or the mountains, beware of the weather as the meteorological department has issued a red alert for heavy to very heavy rains in some parts of the mountains, including Dehradun. This time the monsoon in Uttarakhand, 9 days after normal, has made the weather pleasant in many places for the last 2 days due to continuous or even a little rain, but disaster has struck the mountains. Public life has been disrupted, especially in Pithoragarh and Bageshwar.

Bageshwar also received heavy rains on Wednesday after Tuesday. The water level in Saryu and Gomti rivers is close to the danger mark due to continuous heavy rains after the rains stopped for a few hours. The river has risen to Saryu Ghat and power supply has been disrupted in many areas. Dozens of roads have been closed due to river ditches and two bridges in the district have been washed away. Many people have also been forced to leave their homes.

This time the monsoon took about a month to reach Uttarakhand from Kerala whereas last year it was normal i.e. a week before June 20. A red alert has been issued for heavy rains in some areas in Dehradun, Bageshwar, Nainital, Chamoli, Pithoragarh till July 2 and 3, citing Zonal Meteorological Center Director Vikram Singh.

A red alert means that rains in these areas could cause landslides or floods. This is a warning for travelers to be very vigilant. Travelers in particular should plan with preparation by taking weather updates when heading to the mountains.

If we look at the situation from Wednesday to Thursday morning, the weather in Nainital district is pleasant due to the drop in temperature but there is a warning of heavy rains. Ramnagar and Bhimtal have received good rainfall. The city area in Uttarkashi is getting light to moderate rains. It is also raining in Almora and Rudra Prayag districts.

Heavy rains lashed several places in Chamoli on Wednesday afternoon, flooding houses near the road on the Badrinath National Highway. Public life in Badrinath Dham, Hemkund Sahib was also disrupted as road water seeped directly into houses in Sainwali village. Two days of heavy rains at Gaurikund, the main stop of the Kedarnath pilgrimage, flooded the main market roads. Along with the pilgrims, the locals were also disturbed.