Red alert in Uttarakhand as torrential rain batters state, landslides block key roads; Char Dham Yatra suspended

uttarakhand rains

Torrential rain has battered Uttarakhand over the past 24 hours, triggering a wave of landslides that have blocked more than 100 roads, including crucial national highways, and severely disrupted the annual Char Dham Yatra. Of particular concern is the suspension of the Kedarnath Yatra, brought to a halt once again on Monday after a fresh landslide struck the Sonprayag-Gaurikund stretch near Munkatiya in Rudraprayag district, according to TOI.

The State Emergency Operation Centre confirmed that access routes to both Yamunotri and Gangotri remain blocked, leaving many pilgrims stranded. In addition, multiple landslides in Almora and Bageshwar have isolated several areas, affecting over 10,000 residents. The Kwarab region of Almora witnessed debris from a landslide that blocked the Almora-Bageshwar highway for more than two hours, further complicating efforts to restore connectivity.

In Pithoragarh district, the situation is equally dire. All three major border roads - Kailash Mansarovar (Dharchula-Lipulekh), Tawaghat-Sobla and Milam-Munsyari - have been closed due to landslides, leaving the remote Byas valley villages completely cut off. Sixteen smaller rural roads have also been shut, exacerbating isolation in the area. Though river levels are on the rise across the state, officials cited by TOI have clarified that they remain below critical danger marks for now.

Dehradun has recorded the highest rainfall, measuring 174 mm, closely followed by Kotdwar (170 mm), Lansdowne (150 mm), Narendra Nagar (115 mm) and Haridwar (105 mm), underlining the widespread nature of this weather event.

The Regional Meteorological Centre has sounded a red alert for the coming 48 hours, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in Nainital, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, Bageshwar, Pauri, Tehri and Dehradun. Orange alerts have also been issued for Haridwar, Nainital and Champawat, with the forecast raising the spectre of further landslides and flooding.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a virtual review meeting reported by TOI, directed all district magistrates to remain present on the ground with support teams, to expedite route clearance and to promptly assess crop damage. Dhami ordered round-the-clock hospital checks, pledging surprise visits to ensure that emergency arrangements are robust.

Disaster management secretary Vinod Kumar Suman instructed all district authorities and emergency teams to maintain a 24-hour vigil, especially in flood-prone zones. He reportedly called for timely drainage operations in waterlogged areas, regular updates on road accessibility and the pre-emptive shutdown of vulnerable power stations. The continued delivery of essential supplies such as food, medicines and potable water was categorised as a top priority.

Districts on red alert include Tehri, Dehradun, Pauri and Bageshwar, while Haridwar, Nainital and Champawat remain on orange alert. Local administrations have been instructed to guarantee worker safety, restrict public movement near riverbanks and swiftly address any obstruction in water channels.

As a further safety measure, schools and anganwadi centres in Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, Bageshwar, Nainital and Pauri will be closed on Tuesday. Officials cited by TOI have not ruled out additional shutdowns, assuring that regular updates will be provided as the situation evolves.