Orange alert issued for heavy rains & snowfall in several districts over next 24 hours
By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 20 Mar: Weather conditions across Uttarakhand, including Dehradun, witnessed a significant deterioration this morning as rain, strong winds and snowfall affected several parts of the state, bringing back winter-like conditions. Continuous rainfall since morning in Dehradun, coupled with overcast skies, marked a clear shift in weather, with temperatures dropping noticeably and maximum temperatures expected to remain between 12 and 15 degrees Celsius, while the minimum could fall to around 7 to 10 degrees Celsius. Chakrata meanwhile witnessed snowfall.
Uttarakhand is currently experiencing a pronounced weather shift, with persistent rain in Dehradun and heavy snowfall in the hills significantly impacting daily life and travel across the state.
In the higher reaches, the impact has been more severe, particularly at Badrinath Temple, where nearly two feet of snow has accumulated amid ongoing snowfall. Several other hill districts, including Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh, have reported a mix of rain and snowfall, with the Meteorological Department issuing an orange alert warning of heavy precipitation, thunderstorms, hailstorms and winds reaching speeds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour.
The plains have not remained unaffected, with districts such as Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar experiencing spells of moderate to heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds. The sudden dip in temperature has led residents to once again take out warm clothing, as chilly conditions returned across the region.
According to the Meteorological Department forecast, the prevailing weather disturbance is due to an active western disturbance, which is expected to continue influencing the state over the next few days. While there may be some improvement in weather conditions in the plains from tomorrow onwards, rain and snow are likely to persist in several hill regions. The forecast indicates that such conditions may continue across Uttarakhand until around March 25.
The administration has issued advisories urging people to avoid unnecessary travel to the hills during this period and to remain cautious, particularly in higher altitude areas where the risk of landslides and road blockages remains high.
