IMD Issues Red Alert For Uttarakhand, Warns Of Heavy Rains, Landslides

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for Uttarakhand for the upcoming two days.

According to the IMD's forecast, Uttarakhand is likely to experience more than 200 mm of rainfall on both Sunday and Monday.

Amid the prediction of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, the IMD has warned of potential localized flooding and landslides.

IMD's alert on Twitter states, "Uttarakhand is likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall with extremely heavy rainfall (exceeding 204.4 mm) on August 13th and 14th. Potential impacts: localized flooding, landslides."

This red alert follows weeks of incessant rains that have plagued Uttarakhand, resulting in landslides, floods, and flash-floods that have led to numerous casualties. Recent reports indicate that seven bodies have been found in landslide debris in Rudraprayag, with five discovered in a car wreckage on Friday, and two more found on Saturday.

The ongoing heavy rainfall has severely disrupted normal life in Uttarakhand, causing substantial damage. As reported by the State Emergency Operation Center, at least 58 people have lost their lives, 37 have been injured, and around 19 remain missing in rain-related incidents. Additionally, 1,167 houses, including 33 completely destroyed, have been damaged, while agricultural land and infrastructure like roads and bridges have also suffered significant losses.

Even before the IMD's alert, the Dehradun Meteorological Center had already issued an orange alert for several districts on Friday, followed by a red alert for the weekend, highlighting the persistent threat of heavy rainfall in the region.