Heavy Rainfall Causes Rivers in Uttarakhand to Swell Beyond Danger Levels
Rising Water Levels in Major Rivers
Continuous rainfall across various regions in Uttarakhand has led to significant swelling of major rivers, including the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, which have either surpassed or are nearing danger levels. This information was provided by officials on Thursday. According to the Central Water Commission, the Alaknanda River in Rudraprayag was recorded at 627 meters at 6 AM, which is above the danger mark, and its water level continues to rise.
Additionally, the Mandakini River in Rudraprayag measured 626.20 meters at 7 AM, exceeding the danger level of 626 meters by 0.20 meters, with levels still increasing. Similarly, in Devprayag, the Bhagirathi River was flowing at a warning level of 462 meters at 6 AM, with rising water levels. In Haridwar, the Rayasi (Ban Ganga) River was at 230.09 meters at 6 AM, which is 0.09 meters above the warning level, and its water level is also on the rise.
Precautionary Measures Issued
In light of the rising river levels, Nandan Singh Rajwar, the District Disaster Management Officer of Rudraprayag, issued an 'RT message' urging officials to maintain high vigilance and prepare for any potential disasters. The message emphasized the need for the public, especially those living near rivers, to move to safer locations and stay alert, with warnings disseminated via loudspeakers to ensure safety.
Meanwhile, reports from disaster management offices indicate that the Badrinath National Highway near Helang has been blocked due to debris, while the Gangotri National Highway near Dharasu Nalupani and the Yamunotri National Highway near Silai Band, Durbil, Junglechatti, and Syanachatti are also disrupted due to continuous rockfalls and debris.
Government Response to Weather Alerts
In response to the weather department's warnings of heavy rainfall, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has instructed the state's disaster management secretary, Vinod Kumar Suman, to stay updated on the situation and ensure that all state agencies remain on 'high alert' to effectively manage any potential disasters. 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 issued for the remaining districts, prompting all relevant departments to be on alert.
The disaster management secretary has also urged residents and tourists in the state to avoid unnecessary travel during this period and to check the latest weather and road conditions before embarking on any journeys.
School Closures for Safety
To ensure the safety of students amid the heavy rainfall warnings, schools up to class 12 in Dehradun, Chamoli, and Bageshwar districts have been declared closed for Thursday.