Uttarakhand on Orange Alert: Heavy Rain Washes Away Badrinath NH-7; Pilgrims Trapped

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an "orange" alert indicating extremely heavy rainfall for various districts of Uttarakhand including Dehradun, Nainital, Tehri, Pauri, Champawat, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar.

Due to the increasing water in the Khachda drain at Lambagad during the time of the intense rainfall, a portion of the Badrinath NH-7 washed away. According to ANI, which quoted the Chamoli district government, pilgrims were trapped on both sides of the highway on Friday.

According to Friday's weather forecast from the weather service, widespread rainfall with isolated periods of heavy rain, thunderstorms, and lightning are extremely likely to occur over Uttarakhand between Friday and August 2. Additionally, until Sunday, there is a very good chance of isolated very heavy rains over the state.

It further stated that over Central, West, East, and South India for the next 4-5 days, there is a very good chance that scattered to widespread light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning would continue.

The Char Dham Yatra earlier this month was impacted by nighttime rains and debris buildup on the Badrinath Kedarnath Highway, prompting the district government to change the pilgrims' itinerary.

Due to debris falling continually for two to three days at Sirobgarh on NH 58, a disaster-prone section of the Badrinath National Highway was blocked. At Nail on the Kedarnath Highway, the road was also stopped by traffic.

In light of the IMD's warning for heavy rain in the state, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami gave all district magistrates the go-ahead last week to be on high alert and take precautions to prevent any disaster-like situations.

On Thursday, the continuous rains in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district disrupted daily life by causing landslides that shut down 14 rural roads in addition to the Gangotri National Highway.

According to District Disaster Management Officer Devendra Patwal, the Gangotri national highway is shut at Bandarkot due to stones that are sporadically sliding down from the slopes.