Uttarakhand is bracing for a weather crisis as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts relentless, heavy rainfall, posing significant risks of flash floods and landslides in vulnerable areas. The IMD has issued alerts for numerous districts in Uttarakhand, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the coming days.
The IMD’s forecast is based on data from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), which reveals a large inland depression has moved into northern India, visible on satellite images from September 11th. This weather system is expected to bring significant rainfall, ranging between 150-350mm, to areas including western Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand over the next 48 hours, starting Friday night.
An ‘inland depression’ is a meteorological phenomenon characterized by a low-pressure system forming over land. When air pressure drops in a localized region, it creates an area of low pressure, causing surrounding air to converge. This rising air often leads to cloud formation and heavy rainfall.
In a bulletin, the IMD issued a red alert for several districts in Uttarakhand, including Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, and Haridwar for Friday. These areas face the potential for minor to medium landslides, mudslides, and rockfalls due to intense rainfall. Such conditions could disrupt transportation by blocking roads and highways, while also posing threats to essential services like electricity and water. The supply chain and transportation network could face disruptions for several days.
The heavy rain poses a serious threat to life and property, especially in vulnerable locations. Additionally, dams and barrages may be forced to release excess water, raising river levels and increasing the risk of flash floods, riverbank erosion, and overflow. Low-lying areas, mountains, and steep terrains are particularly susceptible to flash floods and rapid runoff.
The IMD urges residents to take safety precautions, advising against outdoor activities due to the high risk of cloudbursts and flash floods, especially in Uttarakhand. Residents in landslide-prone regions are strongly advised to relocate to safer areas. Tourists and pilgrims, particularly those traveling to pilgrimage sites like Chardham, should remain vigilant and avoid travel during this period. People living near rivers or in flood-prone areas should prepare for possible evacuations to higher ground. Authorities have also urged commuters to stay cautious, avoid traveling during heavy rainfall, and refrain from crossing landslide-prone zones. Locals are advised to stay updated on weather conditions, remain indoors during flash floods, avoid flooded areas, and not engage in swimming or boating in swollen rivers or streams.
