IMD warns of landslides and flash floods in Uttarakhand, red alert issued

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued fresh alerts for different districts of Uttarakhand which may lead to landslides and flash floods in the hill state.

Several districts of Kumaon and Garhwal regions are likely to witness heavy and extremely heavy rains in the coming days. The IMD has issued a red alert in the state on Wednesday and an orange alert from Thursday to Saturday.

Dehradun Meteorological Department director Bikram Singh told India Today that the next four to five days could prove crucial for the hill state.

As per IMD's red alert, heavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur in Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh and Haridwar districts of Uttarakhand on Wednesday. While isolated places in the rest of the districts could witness heavy rainfall as



well.

Also, fresh orange alerts issued by the IMD read that Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Nainital and Pithoragarh districts of Uttarakhand are likely to witness heavy rainfall. Light rains and thunderstorms might occur at other isolated places in the state from Thursday to Saturday.

Bikram Singh said that extremely heavy rainfall could trigger more incidents of landslides in sensitive areas of Uttarakhand, especially those located in the interior parts.

Heavy rain may also lead to a rise in water levels of several rivers of Uttarakhand, making them move closer towards danger levels, he said. He further added, a flash flood-like situation might occur four to five days from now.

The IMD has issued detailed advisories for the orange and red alert days. Bikram Singh said that travelers should avoid unnecessary journeys on these days as much as possible.