By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 11 Jul: Medium to heavy rainfall is set to continue across Uttarakhand over the next week, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting widespread precipitation accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and spells of heavy to very heavy rain in several districts till July 17. The Meteorological Centre, Dehradun, has issued a Yellow Alert for the State from July 11-17, advising people to remain cautious, particularly in landslide-prone and low-lying areas.
According to the latest forecast issued by the Meteorological Centre, most places in Kumaon division and many places in Garhwal division are expected to receive light to moderate rainfall today. Heavy rainfall has been forecast at isolated places in Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pauri Garhwal, Udham Singh Nagar, Champawat, Nainital and Bageshwar districts, while other hill districts may witness intense to very intense spells of rain accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Moderate to heavy rainfall is likely at many places in the hill districts and at a few places in the plains. Heavy rainfall is expected in Dehradun, Bageshwar, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Nainital and Champawat districts, while other hill areas are likely to witness isolated very intense spells of rain. Similar weather conditions are expected to prevail on Monday, with heavy rainfall forecast at isolated places in Bageshwar, Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts and intense rainfall likely across the remaining hill districts.
On Tuesday, July 14, light to moderate rainfall has been forecast at many places across the state and at a few places in Haridwar district. Heavy rainfall is likely in Dehradun, Champawat, Nainital and Pithoragarh districts, while Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar may experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning. On Wednesday, July 15, light to moderate rainfall is expected at many places in all districts, with heavy rainfall likely at isolated places in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Bageshwar districts. Very heavy spells of rain are also likely in the remaining districts. The IMD has further indicated that light to moderate rainfall will continue at many places across Uttarakhand on 16 and July 17.
The latest IMD outlook also indicates that the monsoon will remain active over northern India during the coming week owing to favourable synoptic conditions. The weather office has cautioned that intense rainfall could trigger localised flooding, waterlogging in urban areas, flash floods in vulnerable locations and landslides in the hill districts. Residents and pilgrims undertaking the Char Dham Yatra have been advised to keep track of official weather bulletins and avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain.
For Dehradun, the forecast suggests generally cloudy skies with intermittent spells of rain or thundershowers over the next several days. Moderate rainfall is expected on most days, with the possibility of heavy showers at isolated locations, particularly on July 12 and 14. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds may also occur during this period.
The continuing spell of rain has already affected normal life in several parts of the state. Intermittent landslides and shooting stones have been reported from vulnerable stretches of the Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri National Highways, while road connectivity has also been disrupted on several link roads in districts including Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar. Restoration work is being carried out by the authorities wherever blockages have occurred, and travellers have been advised to exercise caution while driving through hill routes.
During the past 24 hours, the highest rainfall in the state was recorded at Keertinagar with 135 mm, followed by Satpuli with 116 mm. Loharkhet received 89 mm, Yamkeshwar 71 mm, Song 67 mm, Pokhari 63 mm, Dewal 53.5 mm, Rikhnikhal 53.5 mm and Thailisain 53 mm. Moderate rainfall was also recorded at Gairsain, Dwarahat, Sama, Someshwar, Chaukhutia, Ghansali, Pauri, Chakrata, Jakholi, Kapkot, Jolly Grant, Dunda, Lansdowne, Laksar, Mori, Mussoorie, Ramnagar, Garud, Tehri, Tharali, Khatima, Dhanaulti, Narendranagar, Munsiyari, Haldwani, Kashipur, Purola, Dharchula, Dehradun, Kotdwar, Uttarkashi, Pantnagar, Almora, Mukteshwar, Nainital, Chamoli, Barkot, Berinag, Didihat and several other locations, reflecting widespread monsoon activity across both Garhwal and Kumaon regions.
