Uttarakhand weather update: IMD issues orange warning for very heavy rain; 11 districts are on high alert for landslides, flash floods
Uttarakhand weather update: IMD issues orange warning for very heavy rain; 11 districts are on high alert for landslides, flash floods
: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a very heavy rainfall alert for Uttarakhand, warning of potential landslides, flash floods, and road blockages across the state. An orange alert has been declared for today, followed by a yellow alert for June 26, as monsoon activity intensifies in the region.
According to Dr. Bikram Singh, director, Meteorological Department Dehradun, the alert covers multiple states including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and the Jammu region. The IMD has cautioned that the ongoing rain spells could turn hazardous, especially in the hilly districts of the state.
The 11 most sensitive districts identified for rain-related disasters include Uttarkashi, Tehri Garhwal, Chamoli, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, and Dehradun in the Garhwal division, and Almora, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat, and Nainital in the Kumaon division. In the plains, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar are vulnerable to flooding and soil erosion.
The IMD’s orange alert for June 25 specifically highlights the risk of very heavy rainfall in Dehradun, Nainital, Bageshwar, and Rudraprayag, with the possibility of thunderstorms and wind speeds reaching 30–40 km/h. A yellow alert has been issued for June 26, indicating continued rainfall but with slightly reduced intensity.
The Disaster Management Department has urged residents and tourists to remain vigilant. People have been advised to avoid riverbanks, refrain from unnecessary travel in the hills, and stay updated through official weather bulletins. The department has also circulated advisories to various government agencies to ensure preparedness.
The arrival of the monsoon in Uttarakhand has already made its presence felt. Continuous rainfall over the past several days has led to road closures, landslides, and swollen rivers and streams. Debris on roads has disrupted traffic in several areas, and the risk of further blockages remains high.
In response, local administrations have begun deploying disaster response teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), to vulnerable zones. Emergency equipment such as JCB machines and high-mast lights are being positioned in landslide-prone areas to facilitate quick rescue and clearance operations.
Tourists, especially those undertaking the Chardham Yatra, have been urged to exercise extreme caution. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and may issue further advisories depending on rainfall intensity. With the IMD forecasting continued heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand until June 27, the state remains on high alert. Residents are encouraged to follow safety protocols, avoid risky travel routes, and cooperate with local authorities to minimize the impact of the monsoon’s fury.
Namita is an Assistant News Editor at News9 Live. She has reported on a range of issues from Uttarakhand for mainstream papers such as The Hindu and websites such as Firstpost.com. She has also covered elections in the hill state for both Deccan Herald and The Hindu. Her passion is dissecting the politics of Uttarakhand and meeting and understanding the principal political actors of the state. Namita did PG Diploma in Journalism from AMU and later she pursued MJMC, when not busy writing, she loves to spend time with books, poetry and fiction as well as nonfiction.
