By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 21 Jul: Uttarakhand is expected to face an extended spell of rainfall over the coming week, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting showers across the State until 27 July. The IMD has cautioned of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places being this evening. The latest seven‑day district‑level forecast issued by the Meteorological Centre in Dehradun indicates that several districts are likely to witness intense rainfall during the initial part of the week, while light to moderate showers are expected to continue across most regions thereafter. The advisory suggests that the overall intensity of rain will remain high in the early days, gradually easing but persisting across the State, thereby keeping conditions wet and unsettled throughout the period.
According to the IMD forecast issued on 21 July, heavy to very heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Dehradun, Uttarkashi and Bageshwar districts, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Very intense to extremely intense spells of rain are also possible at isolated locations over next few days. In view of the expected intensity of the weather, an orange alert has been issued for these areas, while the rest of Uttarakhand remains under a yellow alert for adverse weather conditions.
The Meteorological Centre has warned that the heavy rainfall may trigger minor to medium landslides and rockfalls in vulnerable areas. Waterlogging and inundation are possible in low-lying areas, while roads and highways in the hills may be temporarily affected because of falling rocks, debris and slope failures. The forecast has also warned of increased flows in rivers, streams and seasonal rivulets, making such water bodies dangerous, particularly during and after intense spells of rain. The IMD has also advised people to remain cautious during thunderstorms and lightning and to avoid unnecessary travel in vulnerable areas during periods of intense rainfall.
The weather conditions are of particular significance for the hill districts as the state is already experiencing heightened disruption risks during the monsoon. The Char Dham Yatra had been temporarily suspended yesterday as a precautionary measure following heavy rainfall, landslides and safety concerns at several locations along the pilgrimage routes. However, the Yatra has since today morning resumed. The latest IMD forecast indicates that the unsettled weather is likely to continue for several days. On Wednesday, 22 July, heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and intense spells of rain are likely at isolated places in other parts of the State as well. The forecast has therefore called for special caution in the upper Himalayan and other vulnerable hill districts, where prolonged rainfall can rapidly affect road conditions and trigger landslides.
On Thursday, 23 July, heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Dehradun, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts, while intense to very intense spells of rain are expected at isolated places elsewhere in the State. The weather is expected to remain unsettled on Friday, 24 July, when heavy rain is likely at isolated places in Dehradun and Nainital districts and intense to very intense spells of rain may occur in other districts.
The possibility of heavy rain will continue on Saturday, 25 July, particularly in Dehradun, Bageshwar, Tehri Garhwal and Nainital districts. Other areas may experience intense spells of rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. The weather is likely to remain cloudy and wet on Sunday, 26 July, and Monday, 27 July, with light to moderate rain expected at most places across Uttarakhand, according to the seven-day district-level forecast issued by the IMD.
The district-level forecast issued by the Meteorological Centre also highlights the possibility of lightning and thunderstorms during the period. People have been advised to avoid open areas and remain indoors during thunderstorms and lightning. Residents in landslide-prone areas have been advised to exercise extreme caution, while travellers have been urged to avoid unnecessary movement during intense spells of rain and to remain alert to official advisories regarding road conditions.
The IMD’s extended district-level forecast indicates that the weather is expected to remain generally unsettled throughout the period, although the intensity of rainfall is likely to vary from day to day and from district to district. The latest forecast for the State also records that light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at many places on several days during the period, with isolated spells of heavy rain and thunderstorms continuing in some districts.
The IMD has also stated in its temperature summary that maximum temperatures during the preceding 24 hours remained below normal to normal in the plains and appreciably below normal to below normal in the hills of Uttarakhand. The continuation of cloudy and rainy conditions is likely to keep temperatures relatively moderate in many areas, although high humidity and sudden heavy showers may continue to affect normal life.
