Uttarakhand rivers swell, 132 roads shut as heavy rain continues
Several major rivers, including the Alaknanda and the Bhagirathi, were in spate in Uttarakhand on Thursday following incessant rainfall, while 132 roads, including four national highways, were blocked due to landslides and debris, officials said.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for heavy rain in Dehradun, Chamoli and Bageshwar districts and a yellow alert for the remaining districts of the state.
In view of the weather warning, district administrations remained on alert, while schools up to Class 12 in Dehradun, Bageshwar and Chamoli were closed as a precaution.
Several parts of the state recorded heavy to very heavy rainfall. According to the IMD, Khanpur received 127 mm of rain since 8.30 am, followed by Laksar in Chakrata with 79.5 mm, Chinyalisaur and New Tehri with 50.5 mm each, Ranikhet 47 mm, Naugaon 45.5 mm, Jolly Grant 38.2 mm, Mussoorie 29.1 mm and Dehradun 22 mm.
The continuous rain caused the water levels in several major rivers to rise, with some crossing or nearing the danger mark.
Officials said the Alaknanda in Rudraprayag was flowing at the danger mark of 627 metres at 6 am. By 4 pm, the water level had receded marginally to 626.98 metres.
The Mandakini river in Rudraprayag was flowing at 626.20 metres at 7 am, 20 cm above the danger mark of 626 metres. By 4 pm, the level had fallen to 625.69 metres.
In Haridwar, the Ganga was flowing at the warning level of 293 metres, while the Kali and Gori rivers in Pithoragarh were close to the warning mark. At Triveni Ghat in Rishikesh, the Ganga was recorded at 339.90 metres at 4 pm, 40 cm above the warning level.
Authorities have directed officials to maintain a high level of vigilance and warn people living along riverbanks through public announcements.
Landslides and debris blocked 132 roads across the state, including four national highways.
The Yamunotri National Highway in Uttarkashi district remained blocked near Durbil due to continuous rockfall and debris, while the Rishikesh-Kedarnath National Highway was closed near Tilwara and Saandar in Rudraprayag district following landslides.
Officials said efforts were underway to restore traffic on the affected routes.
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Friday, forecasting heavy rain at isolated places in Uttarkashi, Tehri, Dehradun and Bageshwar districts. The district administrations have been asked to remain on alert.
