Uttarakhand on High Alert Amid Heavy Rain Forecasts

State Agencies Prepared for Potential Disasters

Dehradun, August 5 - In light of the ongoing rainfall in Uttarakhand and the weather department's warnings for Thursday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has instructed all state agencies to remain on 'high alert' to effectively manage any potential disaster situations. The Chief Minister sought detailed updates on the conditions across various districts from Vinod Kumar Suman, the state's Secretary for Disaster Management and Rehabilitation. He emphasized that, considering the weather forecasts, the State Disaster Response Force, National Disaster Response Force, district administration, police, fire services, health department, and all other relevant departments should maintain high vigilance and initiate relief and rescue operations without delay in case of emergencies.

Dhami directed district magistrates to stay alert around the clock, ensuring continuous monitoring of sensitive areas, keeping a close watch on the water levels of rivers and streams, and taking immediate action to relocate people to safe places if necessary.

Suman reported that the weather department has issued an 'orange alert' for Dehradun, Chamoli, and Bageshwar districts for Thursday, while a 'yellow alert' has been declared for the remaining districts. He noted that the department has also warned of heavy rainfall, lightning, and strong winds in certain areas, urging all relevant departments to remain cautious. The Secretary appealed to residents and tourists in the state to take the weather warnings seriously, stay alert, and avoid unnecessary travel.

He advised that individuals should check the latest weather and road conditions before embarking on any journeys. Meanwhile, in response to the heavy rain warnings, schools up to class 12 in Chamoli and Bageshwar districts have been closed for Thursday to ensure student safety.