The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) on Tuesday issued fresh directives to all District Magistrates after the Meteorological Department forecast red, orange, and yellow alerts across the state for the coming week, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall.
For August 12, an orange alert has been issued for Dehradun, Nainital, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Pauri, Champawat, and Bageshwar districts, where heavy rain is expected at isolated places. Yellow alerts have been issued for other districts, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and intense rainfall in some areas.
From August 13 to 14, red alerts will be in effect for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, and Bageshwar, with forecasts of heavy to very heavy rain and isolated incidents of extremely heavy rainfall. The rest of the districts will be under orange alerts during this period. On August 15, these same districts will remain under an orange alert, while yellow alerts will continue for the rest of the state.
The authorities have been told to monitor traffic, share regular updates, and ensure emergency readiness. IRS-rank officers have been asked to stay on high alert. Departments such as Public Works Department (PWD), Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Animal Husbandry Department (ABD) and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) must ensure roads remain open in case of landslides or blockages. Police stations and village heads have been urged to keep torches, plastic sheets, helmets, and umbrellas ready. All officials must keep their phones active at all times.
People living near rivers, streams, low-lying areas, and floodplains are advised to stay alert and be prepared to move to higher ground if needed. Pilgrims and tourists, mainly those visiting Char Dham and other holy sites, are urged to avoid travel during this period. Dam and barrage management operators, along with hydroelectric plants, must maintain low reservoir levels. Mountaineers have been told to halt expeditions and shift to safe areas.
The government has suggested that the district authorities close schools and advised commuters to avoid travel if not urgent. Residents are urged to stay indoors during heavy rain or flash floods, avoid landslide-prone areas, not cross flooded zones, and keep away from swollen rivers and lakes. Military and paramilitary units in high-risk areas have been told to remain alert. Construction work on houses, bridges, dams, and tunnels should be paused during intense rain.
Farmers are advised to ensure proper drainage in fields and store harvested crops in dry, safe places.
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