Uttarakhand issues heavy-rain alerts as officials prepare for landslides and flooding

India’s Meteorological Department has issued heavy-rain alerts across Uttarakhand for September 26 and 27, prompting Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to direct officials to maintain high vigilance. For Saturday, a red alert covers Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar. Orange alerts have been issued for Dehradun, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Almora, while Haridwar, Uttarkashi and Tehri are under yellow alert.

On Sunday, red alerts apply to Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri and Haridwar. Orange alerts cover Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Nainital and Rudraprayag, and yellow alerts cover Bageshwar, Almora, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar and Pithoragarh. The forecast calls for heavy to very heavy rainfall in many places and extremely heavy rainfall in some areas.

Authorities warned that mountainous areas could experience landslides and road blockages, while rivers and streams may rise and low-lying areas could be waterlogged. Dhami urged residents and tourists to travel only when necessary and to check current weather and road conditions. He advised people to avoid rivers, streams, seasonal watercourses and flooded areas during heavy rain, and warned against entering fast-flowing water.

The chief minister asked parents not to allow children near hazardous waterways and told officials to monitor river levels, landslide-prone areas, mountain routes, Char Dham Yatra routes and major tourist destinations. He also directed departments to keep relief and rescue teams, essential equipment, excavators and other machinery ready at strategic locations so that emergency operations could begin quickly if conditions deteriorate.