With the Char Dham pilgrimage grappling with uncertainty with threat of more rain dangling overhead, the Uttarakhand Meteorological Centre has forecast rain/thunderstorm at many places along the pilgrimage routes on Thursday.
Observers said even a few spells of light to moderate rains can result in fresh suspension of the much-touted yatra, given the fragile geography of the region. “The State Government should admit the reality instead of beating about the bush,” an observer said.
Uttarakhand received moderate to rather heavy rainfall at isolated places, especially in Kumaon region, on Tuesday evening and Wednesday. The Met office revealed that by 8.30 am on Wednesday, 94 mm rainfall was received in Nainital while the figures were 59 mm in Pantnagar, 70.6 mm in Karnprayag, 47.8 mm in Joshimath, 70 mm in Chamoli, 45 mm in Kausani, 76.4 mm in Ranikhet, 31.8 mm in Almora, 20 mm in Banbasa, 27 mm in Champawat, 11 mm in Pauri, 12.5 mm in Tehri, 22 mm in Kashipur, 14 mm in Munsiyari, 13.2 mm in Pithoragarh, 55.2 mm in Mukteshwar and 60 mm in Haldwani.
Dehradun residents suffered humidity-tinged heat throughout the day. However, clouds stated gathering in the evening on Wednesday.
Dr Anand Kumar Sharma, director of Uttarakhand Meteorological Centre, Dehradun, said the maximum and minimum temperatures in Dehradun were recorded at 33.2°C and 23.6°C respectively on Wednesday.
The weather forecast for Dehradun on Thursday is cloudy sky. Thunder cloud development may occur in some areas. The weather forecast for Uttarakhand on Thursday is light to moderate rain/thunderstorm at a few places in the State, it is learnt.