Uttarakhand Rain Triggers Landslides, Closing 136 Roads

Heavy rain has disrupted road links across Uttarakhand, with landslides and falling boulders closing 136 roads in the state. The continuing downpour has also pushed several rivers above warning levels, prompting authorities to increase monitoring and alert settlements at risk.

Uttarakhand recorded 12.1 millimetres of rain in the 24 hours to 8:30 a.m. Saturday, compared with a normal 10.7 millimetres, according to the India Meteorological Department. That represented a 13% surplus, although rainfall varied sharply across the state. Chamoli recorded a 382% surplus, Bageshwar 292%, Almora 148% and Pithoragarh 93%.

Chamoli reported the most road closures, with 25, followed by Pauri with 22 and Pithoragarh with 18. Nainital reported 16 closures, while Almora and Tehri recorded 11 each. Dehradun had 10, Uttarkashi eight, Rudraprayag seven, Bageshwar six and Haridwar one. The closures affected both hill districts and foothill areas.

River levels also rose at monitoring stations, raising concern in areas along riverbanks and downstream from dams and barrages. Data from the Central Water Commission, the State Emergency Operation Centre and district disaster authorities showed several rivers crossing designated warning levels.

In Pithoragarh, the Dhauliganga reached 1,550.63 metres at 8 a.m., above its 1,550.10-metre warning level. The Gauri Ganga at Bangapani reached 987.42 metres at 1 p.m., exceeding its 987.25-metre warning level and approaching the 988.25-metre danger mark. The Kali River at Dharchula reached 889.50 metres at 7:30 a.m.

The IMD’s Dehradun centre issued a yellow alert for September 6 to 9. It forecast light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places, with isolated heavy rain possible in Dehradun, Haridwar, Bageshwar, Nainital, Pauri and Chamoli. Thunderstorms and lightning were also expected.