Monsoon reaches all parts of Uttarakhand; 'Orange' alert for five districts on Thursday

Dehradun, The Southwest Monsoon reached all parts of Uttarakhand on Wednesday, even as the meteorological department has issued an 'Orange' alert, forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places in five districts, including Dehradun, for Thursday.

According to the Dehradun Meteorological Centre, the monsoon had knocked on the doors of most parts of the state on Tuesday, and by Wednesday, it had covered all parts of the state.

Several areas of the state witnessed rainfall on Wednesday. According to the weather centre, Dehradun recorded 56 mm of rain, Jolly Grant 52.5 mm, Laksar 49 mm, Mussoorie 43 mm, Rudraprayag 32.5 mm, Haldwani 29.5 mm, Pauri 28.5 mm, Bhimtal 25 mm, Kirtinagar 23.5 mm, and Khanpur recorded 23 mm of rain.


According to the weather centre, the rainfall brought down temperatures across the state. Over the last 24 hours, maximum temperatures in both plains and hilly regions were recorded from much below normal to significantly below normal.

The weather centre noted that the maximum daytime temperature in Dehradun on Wednesday was recorded at 25.8 degrees Celsius, which is six degrees below normal. Similarly, the maximum temperature in Pantnagar stood at 30.4 degrees Celsius, three degrees below normal.

The meteorological centre has issued an 'Orange Alert', forecasting heavy to very heavy rainfall at isolated places on Thursday in Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, and Bageshwar districts.

Meanwhile, a 'Yellow Alert' has been issued for Haridwar, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, and Chamoli districts with a forecast of heavy rainfall at isolated places.

In view of the forecast, the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) has directed the respective district magistrates to ensure necessary vigilance and precautionary measures. According to officials, these directives include continuous monitoring of vulnerable areas, keeping relief and rescue teams on high alert, and taking swift action in the event of any disaster.

Vinod Kumar Suman, the state's Secretary for Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, has appealed to residents and visiting pilgrims to follow the advisories issued by the meteorological department and the administration, and to immediately contact the local administration or the disaster control room in case of any emergency.