Uttarakhand on High Alert as Torrential Rains Trigger Red Warning
Heavy rains prompt alerts, school closures, and vigilant monitoring.
Uttarakhand is on high alert as the meteorological centre forecasts extremely heavy to very heavy rainfall across most of the state for the next two days, starting September 1, 2025. The weather department has issued a red alert for Monday in Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, and Haridwar, warning of intense downpours and potential flooding in several areas. For Tuesday, September 2, an orange alert covers Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and Bageshwar, predicting heavy to very heavy rain that could disrupt daily life and pose significant risks.
In response to the dire forecast, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami convened an emergency meeting with senior officials on Sunday, urging round-the-clock vigilance to protect residents. Schools in multiple districts, including Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, and Champawat, have been shut down to ensure the safety of students amid the looming threat of landslides and waterlogging. Dhami emphasized that the coming days will be critical, directing officials to prioritize public safety and prepare for potential disasters triggered by the relentless rains.
The Chief Minister instructed State Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman to closely monitor developments from the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC). With landslides and waterlogging highly likely, the state is bracing for challenges that could strain infrastructure and emergency response systems. Dhami also reviewed ongoing relief and rescue efforts in areas already hit by disasters, ordering the commissioners of Garhwal and Kumaon divisions to accelerate rehabilitation efforts for affected communities.
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Tragically, the heavy rains have already claimed lives. On Sunday, two young individuals, Ankit Jain (25) from Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajni Rawat from Kotdwar, Pauri district, lost their lives in Tehri district. The incident occurred when falling stones struck their two-wheeler on the Rishikesh-Gangotri National Highway in Narendranagar, highlighting the deadly risks posed by the current weather conditions. In another heartbreaking event, the body of Ramesh Ram, who went missing on Saturday evening in the Munsiyari area of Pithoragarh district, was found near Leti Chalthi Barsaati Nala in Kotalgaon.
Further compounding the tragedy, a body was recovered on Sunday from the debris of homes destroyed by a landslide in Pausari village, Bageshwar district, which occurred on Friday. Two individuals remain missing in this incident, with search efforts ongoing. To prevent further loss of life, Dhami has ordered continuous monitoring of river water levels, even during nighttime hours, to anticipate and mitigate risks of flooding across the state.
As Uttarakhand faces this severe weather event, the government’s proactive measures aim to minimize damage and ensure the safety of its residents. The combination of school closures, enhanced monitoring, and rapid response efforts underscores the urgency of the situation. With the meteorological department warning of continued heavy rainfall, the state remains on edge, preparing for potential disruptions while mourning the lives already lost to nature’s fury.
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