Dehradun: Uttarakhand remains on edge as relentless rainfall continues to lash the state, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue red and orange alerts for Tuesday. In a precautionary step, authorities have ordered the closure of all schools up to Class 12 in 10 districts, including Pauri Garhwal, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Almora, Champawat, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar.
The IMD warned of “very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms with lightning, and intense rain spells at isolated places.” Officials fear the persistent downpour could trigger cloudbursts, flash floods, and landslides, posing grave risks in the hilly regions.
The continuous rain has disrupted life across both mountains and plains. In Dehradun, the Tons River has risen alarmingly near Minas, and water levels are surging sharply as it joins the Yamuna. Several stretches of the National Highway remain blocked by landslides, with Chamoli Police reporting closures at Kanchan Ganga, Bhanerpani, Kameda, and parts of the Kotdeep–Lolti–Nasir Market Tharali road.
In light of the red alert, authorities have suspended the Char Dham Yatra and Hemkund Sahib Yatra until September 5, urging devotees and tourists to avoid vulnerable areas until conditions improve.
The government has appealed to residents in landslide-prone and flood-hit regions to remain extremely cautious. Disaster management teams are on standby as the situation remains precarious amid fears of further weather-related hazards.
