- Heavy rain blocks the Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri highways.
- IMD issues yellow and orange alerts for Uttarakhand districts.
- Rivers are in spate; authorities advise caution near water.
Heavy Rainfall In Uttarakhand: Incessant rainfall in parts of Uttarakhand has prompted authorities to block key routes to the Chardham Yatra as several rivers, including the Ganga, Yamuna, Alaknanda, and Mandakini, are currently in spate. Heavy landslides and waterlogging have led to the closure of the Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri highways. While these major routes are obstructed by debris, the Kedarnath Highway remains operational as of Friday. The IMD has issued yellow and orange alerts for several districts.
IMD Issues Yellow And Orange Alerts
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for five districts: Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Tehri, Rudraprayag, and Bageshwar, forecasting heavy rainfall in these regions. Additionally, an orange alert has been issued for Dehradun, Chamoli, and Bageshwar. Travellers are strongly advised to monitor weather forecasts and exercise caution, as light rain continues in areas such as Tejam in Pithoragarh.
Why Are The Highways Blocked?
Significant debris has halted traffic at multiple points: the Badrinath Highway is blocked at Kaleshwar, the Gangotri National Highway is closed near Helgugad, Nalupani, and Ganganani, and the Yamunotri National Highway is obstructed near Durbil and Syanachatti. Restoration efforts are currently underway. Beyond the national highways, traffic is stalled on numerous local roads, including 16 in Tehri and 15 in the Uttarkashi district. The Public Works Department (PWD) is working to clear these essential connecting routes.
Authorities Issue Warning For Several Areas
The District Emergency Operations Centre has advised residents and visitors to stay away from riverbanks and avoid unnecessary activities near the water. While current water levels in Ganganagar and Gaurikund remain below warning thresholds, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan has directed 24-hour monitoring of all rivers.
To mitigate potential risks, authorities have been instructed to provide advance notice to downstream areas and neighbouring states before releasing water from dams or barrages. Chief Secretary Bardhan emphasised the importance of ensuring that weather alerts reach the "last mile" through strengthened communication networks at the district, block, and village levels, allowing citizens to make safe and timely decisions.