Dehradun:
Amid continued unstable weather conditions, an Orange Alert has been issued across Uttarakhand for Monday and Tuesday. Following thunderstorms, strong winds, and heavy rainfall in several districts on Sunday, the state’s Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Department conducted a high-level review of preparedness and response measures.
Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman chaired a meeting with district officials to assess the situation in detail and issued necessary instructions. He emphasized that all districts must remain on high alert over the next two days and be fully prepared to handle any emergency situation.
The Secretary directed that all weather alerts and advisories issued by the Meteorological Department be promptly disseminated to the public through the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) and District Emergency Operations Centers (DEOCs), ensuring timely awareness and preparedness among citizens.
According to the Meteorological Department, an Orange Alert was issued on May 4 for districts including Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, and Champawat, and on May 5 for Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh. During this period, the state is likely to experience lightning, hailstorms, heavy rainfall, and gusty winds with speeds ranging between 40 to 50 km/h.
Officials have been instructed to prioritize the clearance of blocked roads caused by landslides and adverse weather conditions to minimize inconvenience to the public. While most affected routes have already been reopened, efforts are underway to restore the remaining ones at the earliest.
Considering the ongoing Char Dham Yatra, special emphasis has been placed on ensuring the safety of pilgrims. Helicopter services have been directed to operate strictly in accordance with weather conditions, with clear instructions to suspend flights during adverse weather to avoid any risk to passengers.
Additionally, authorities have been asked to maintain close monitoring of vulnerable areas, keep disaster response systems fully active, and ensure swift relief and rescue operations in case of any emergency.
The Secretary also appealed to citizens to take weather warnings seriously, avoid unnecessary travel, and strictly follow administrative advisories to reduce potential risks and ensure safety.
