Uttarakhand on high alert after heavy rains

DEHRADUN: The heavy rains in the last couple of days have led to rise in the water level of major rivers in Uttarakhand including Ganga at Haridwar, sparking fear of floods in the low-lying areas of the state.

Based on the weather forecast of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) regarding heavy to very heavy rainfall, the Central Water Commission (CWC) on Saturday issued an alert of moderate to heavy floods in the basins of Alaknanda, Pindar, Mandakini, Bhagirathi and Ganga. Speaking to TOI, Prashant Prabhat, scientific assistant, CWC, said, "We have issued a heavy alert of floods in five river basins in the state due to incessant rainfall in the hills. The danger of floods will persist till July 18. The water level in Ganga is already flowing very close to the danger mark. The authorities in the state government have been updated about the situation."

Significantly, the water level of River Ganga in Haridwar is flowing at mere nine inches below the danger mark, prompting the district administration to put the flood chowkis on alert. The Ganga in Haridwar was flowing at 292.75meters, just below the warning level of 293meters. Similarly, the Ganga is flowing very close to danger level in Rishikesh. The river was currently was flowing at 339.15meters against the danger level of 339.5meters. Most importantly, the water level of the river is rising.

"We have alerted the district administration in Haridwar regarding the possible flood live condition in the low-lying areas of the district. Instructions have been issued that if needed, people from vulnerable areas, especially in places like Laksar, should be evacuated," said Sailesh Bagoli, secretary (in-charge), disaster management department.

Moreover, flood chowkis in the low-lying areas in Haridwar have been put on alert. "Regular patrolling in areas like Bishapur Kundi village is going on to keep a sharp vigil over any emergency situation," said Santosh Badoni, deputy secretary, disaster management department. Meanwhile, Alaknanda River in Badrinath was flowing at 3111.53 metres, just one metre below the danger mark on Saturday, while in Srinagar the river was flowing at 534.7 metres against the danger level of 535 metres. At Rudraprayag, Mandakini River was flowing at 623.62 metres, mere 1.4 meters notches below the danger mark, while Pindar at Karnprayag was flowing at 769.55meters against the danger mark of 772 meters.

DEHRADUN: With the natural disaster triggered by series of cloudbursts in Pithoragarh and Chamoli still fresh in the minds of the people, heavy to very heavy rainfall has been lashing many places in Uttarakhand including Dehradun, throwing life out of gear even as incessant showers continued on Saturday.


Haldwani in Nainital district received highest rainfall during last 24-hours with MeT centre recording 100mm rain, closely followed by Mussoorie which witnessed 96mm rain. Srinagar in Pauri district and Someshwar in Almora district have received 88mm rain respectively. The state capital Dehradun, which has been experiencing incessant showers since Friday, recorded 74.8mm rainfall. According to Bikram Singh, Director, Meteorological Centre, "Many places in the state have received moderate to heavy rainfall in last 48-hours. The rain activity will continue at least till Sunday and there is an alert of heavy to very heavy rainfall at few places."


The rains also triggered recurring landslides which blocked National Highways leading to Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines. The all-important Rishikesh-Badrinath highway (NH 58) was blocked at Lambagad and Kanchan Gana in Chamoli district while the Rishikesh-Kedarnath (NH 109) highway was blocked between Sonprayag and Gaurikund. As per authorities, efforts were being made to reopen the highways. Significantly, the current heavy wet spell in the Himalayan state under the influence of active south-west monsoon and passage of western disturbance would continue with the MeT office forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall at many places in the state till Sunday night.


Normal life in Dehradun has been disrupted following incessant rainfall since Friday evening causing inundation of several places in the state capital. Many other cities in the state are also experiencing similar conditions. Meanwhile, the disaster management department officials have claimed that the districts are fully prepared to deal with any emergency in case any emergency situation occurs. Piyoosh Rautela, executive director, Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre (DMMC) told TOI, "The districts were issued advisories in advance regarding heavy rainfall and all the agencies are fully prepared to deal with the situation arising out of rain activity."