Rain alerts issued across northern and central India as floods disrupt several States

The India Meteorological Department has forecast more rain across parts of northern India, issuing red alerts for several districts in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand on Saturday, September 26. Delhi has been placed under a yellow alert, with light to moderate rain expected. The weather office said Uttar Pradesh could experience intense rainfall over the next two days, including heavy to very heavy rain and extremely heavy rainfall at isolated locations.

In Uttarakhand, a red alert covers Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar on Saturday. Orange and yellow alerts cover other districts. For Sunday, red alerts have been issued for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri and Haridwar.

Orange alerts cover Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Nainital and Rudraprayag, while Bageshwar, Almora, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar and Pithoragarh are under a yellow alert. The IMD forecast generally cloudy conditions in Delhi, with light rain in many places, moderate rain in some areas and possible thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds. Another spell of rain could occur during the afternoon and evening.

Odisha has also been severely affected after a deep depression brought heavy rain. The State government said 63 places recorded more than 100 mm of rain, while three recorded over 300 mm. Around 14,500 people from low-lying and landslide-prone areas were moved to 2,061 relief centres, where cooked food is being provided.

Pregnant women were shifted to hospitals. The rainfall affected 10 districts, with rivers swelling, landslides, uprooted trees, waterlogging and house damage reported. Schools were closed in some districts.

Chhattisgarh also declared a school holiday after heavy rain inundated areas and cut off villages. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai directed collectors to remain vigilant and conduct relief and rescue operations.