Noida, 20 August 2024: India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall in six districts of Uttarakhand for the next 48 hours, starting Tuesday night. The alert warns of “heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning and very intense to extremely intense spells of rain” in isolated areas of Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Haridwar, and Udham Singh Nagar districts.
In response, Dehradun, Nainital and US Nagar districts declared a one-day closure for schools on July 31. The closure included all government and private institutions from class 1 to 12, as well as anganwadi centres—the decision aimed to ensure safety and avoid incidents, particularly landslides, during the severe weather conditions.
The regional meteorological centre stated that the monsoon is expected to become active over parts of Uttarakhand during this period. “Districts like Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri Garhwal, Nainital, Champawat, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh will experience intense and sporadic showers, particularly at night,” said Bikram Singh, director of the Met centre.
He added that while days will have sunshine, nights will experience intense rain due to excessive daytime heating and resultant convective activity. “We will see more intense, sporadic showers during the night because of the daytime heating. People need to be cautious, as most incidents resulting in human loss occur at night,” said Singh.
The heavy showers are likely to cause falling rocks and mudslides in the hills, with roads and highways potentially getting blocked due to recurring landslides. “People residing in landslide-prone areas should remain cautious. Pilgrims and tourists travelling to Char Dham or other locations in the state should also stay vigilant and watch for steep slopes,” said an advisory issued by the Met Centre.
Preparedness and Response Measures
The Uttarakhand government has taken several measures to ensure the safety of residents and travelers during the heavy rainfall alert. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams have been deployed in vulnerable areas, and rescue operations are on standby. The Public Works Department (PWD) has been instructed to keep a close watch on roads and highways and promptly clear any blockages caused by landslides or falling rocks. The district administrations have also been directed to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place to deal with any eventuality.
Impact on Tourism and Agriculture
The heavy rainfall alert is likely to have a significant impact on tourism in Uttarakhand, as many pilgrims and tourists visit the state during this time of year. The Char Dham Yatra, which attracts millions of devotees, may be affected by the heavy showers and potential landslides.The agricultural sector in the state may also suffer due to the heavy rainfall. Crops may be damaged by waterlogging, and farmers may face difficulties in harvesting their produce. The state government has assured that all necessary measures will be taken to support farmers affected by the heavy rainfall.
Lessons from Past Disasters
Uttarakhand has faced several natural disasters in the past, including the devastating floods of 2013 that claimed thousands of lives. The state government has since taken several measures to improve disaster preparedness and response, including the establishment of the SDRF and the strengthening of early warning systems.
However, experts argue that more needs to be done to mitigate the impact of natural disasters in the state. They emphasize the need for better land-use planning, stricter enforcement of building codes, and greater investment in disaster risk reduction measures.
