By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 29 Jul: The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Meteorological Centre, Dehradun, has forecast widespread rainfall across Uttarakhand till 4 August and has at the same time issued an Orange Alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts for tomorrow. The latest forecast has been issued even as the impact of the ongoing monsoon continues to be felt across the State, prompting the authorities to remain on alert, particularly in the hill districts vulnerable to landslides, flash floods and road disruptions. In view of the weather forecast and the orange alert, the Garhwal Commissioner has decided to continue halt on Char Dham Yatra till further review.
According to the Meteorological Centre, rainfall is expected at many places across all districts of Uttarakhand until next Tuesday. While the intensity of rainfall is likely to vary from district to district, heavy to very heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and intense spells of precipitation, is expected over several parts of the State during the period.
For tomorrow, the IMD has issued an Orange Alert for Bageshwar, Nainital, Champawat and Pithoragarh districts, where isolated places are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall. These districts are also expected to witness intense to very intense spells of rain, raising the possibility of localised flooding, landslides and disruption to transport and essential services.
At the same time, a Yellow Alert has been issued for Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pauri Garhwal and Tehri Garhwal districts for tomorrow, where isolated places are likely to experience heavy rainfall. Other hill districts may witness thunderstorms accompanied by intense to very intense spells of rain, while Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar districts are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning at isolated places.
According to the forecast the current rainy spell is expected to continue on Friday, 31 July, marking the end of the month with widespread precipitation across the State. The Meteorological Centre has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places in Pauri Garhwal, Dehradun, Bageshwar and Nainital districts. Other hill districts are also expected to receive intense to very intense spells of rain, while Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar are likely to witness light to moderate rainfall under a Yellow Alert.
The monsoon is expected to continue unabated into August. On Saturday, 1 August, heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh and Champawat districts. The remaining hill districts are expected to experience intense to very intense spells of rainfall, while Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar are likely to receive light to moderate rain. A Yellow Alert has been issued for the day.
On Sunday, 2 August, heavy rainfall has been forecast at isolated places in Pithoragarh, Bageshwar and Nainital districts. The remaining hill districts are expected to witness intense to very intense spells of rain, while Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall.
According to the IMD forecast, the wet spell will persist on Monday, 3 August, and Tuesday, 4 August, with light to moderate rainfall expected at most places across all districts of Uttarakhand.
The continuing forecast of widespread rainfall has prompted disaster management authorities to maintain a high level of preparedness. With several districts having witnessed repeated spells of heavy rain during the current monsoon season, the possibility of landslides, rockfalls, waterlogging, overflowing seasonal streams and disruption of road connectivity cannot be ruled out, particularly in the hill districts. The residents, the pilgrims and the tourists have been advised to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel to vulnerable areas during periods of intense rainfall and follow advisories issued by the local administration and disaster management authorities.
