Cloudy skies continued to prevail across Uttarakhand from the mountains to the plains on Sunday, with light to moderate rain reported in several areas. The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places across all districts, while a yellow alert for heavy rainfall has been issued in eight districts, including Dehradun.
The ongoing rain has disrupted normal life in several parts of the state. In Chamoli, continuous showers have brought a chill to the border areas, particularly Mana Valley, while the higher reaches have received the season’s first snowfall.
Snowfall Recorded In
Snowfall was reported around Shri Badrinath Dham, the hills near Hemkund Sahib, Chinap Valley, Sona Shikhar, the Valley of Flowers, Kunth Khal and Kag Bhushandi.
Several high Himalayan peaks, including Nanda Devi, Nandakot, Hardewal, Trishuli and Panchachuli, have also received the first snowfall of the season. Snowfall on the Panchachuli peaks was light, but temperatures have dipped slightly, adding to the chill in the higher reaches.
Alaknanda, Mandakini Near Warning Levels
The weather has also pushed up water levels in Rudraprayag, where rain has continued since Saturday morning. According to the District Emergency Operations Centre, the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers were flowing close to their warning levels at 8 am on Saturday.
Rudraprayag tehsil, Ukhimath and Jakholi recorded 8 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, with temperatures ranging between 23 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius. At 8 am, the Alaknanda was flowing at 625.90 metres, just below its warning level of 626 metres and danger mark of 627 metres. The Mandakini stood at 624.90 metres against a warning level of 625 metres and danger mark of 626 metres.
The rain has also affected road connectivity, with one state highway, five PWD roads and seven PMGSY roads blocked. The Banswara-Kansil-Chandnagar-Mohankhal route on State Highway 56 is blocked at kilometre 21, while National Highway and NPCC routes remain operational.
Kali River Crosses Warning Level
Munsyari, Tejam, Kanalichhina and Pithoragarh received very heavy rainfall on Friday night, with moderate rain in other parts. The Kali River is at 889.50 m as it crossed the warning level (889 m) and neared its danger mark at Dharchula, leaving residents concerned.
Kailash Mansarovar Routes Blocked
Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route has been blocked at 6 points with debris and huge boulders, and the Narayan Ashram road is also damaged, and there is no connectivity to 14 villages of Chaudas Valley.
About 100 m of the Kanchyoti-Narayan Ashram road near Balmi Kakarkhet has washed away, and another alternate route, Tawaghat-Thanidhar-Narayan Ashram, is already closed. Villagers are unable to reach markets, banks, hospitals, etc.
All the vehicles plying on the road from Dharchula to Chaudas are returning, and 16 other interior roads are blocked by debris in the district, making further transportation difficult and causing a shortage of supplies.