Uttarakhand Braces for Severe Weather as Orange Alert Issued
The meteorological department has escalated warnings for Uttarakhand, issuing an orange alert for the next 24 hours targeting northern districts including Dehradun. This alert signals imminent heavy rainfall, significant snowfall in higher altitudes, and powerful winds gusting between 40 to 50 kilometers per hour.
Widespread Alerts and Disruptions Across the State
Simultaneously, a yellow alert has been activated for other districts, cautioning residents about gusty winds and adverse conditions. Fresh snowfall has already blanketed the higher reaches, while continuous rainfall in plain areas has triggered a sharp decline in temperatures statewide. Officials confirmed on Friday that this intense weather spell is projected to persist until Saturday morning.
Pilgrimage sites such as Badrinath and Kedarnath have recorded heavy snowfall over the past two days, with accumulations reaching up to two feet in certain locations. The upper Himalayan region is now covered in a fresh layer of snow, and continuous snowfall has obstructed the road connecting Sukki Top and Gangotri in Uttarkashi district. Harsil also experienced fresh snowfall on Friday.
Rainfall and Meteorological Insights
Foothills and plain regions, including Dehradun, have endured steady rainfall since Thursday night. C S Tomar, director of the regional meteorological centre, explained that the weather system has remained highly active since Thursday, delivering light to moderate rainfall across most parts of Uttarakhand.
"Over the past 24 hours, rainfall measurements have reached up to 40 millimeters in some areas," Tomar stated. He attributed the prevailing conditions to an active western disturbance, noting that snowfall has been reported in areas above 3,000 meters, with similar patterns likely to continue over the next day.
Temperature Plunge and Future Forecast
The sudden weather shift has caused a notable temperature drop across Uttarakhand, offering temporary respite from rising heat but disrupting daily life in hilly regions. In Dehradun, the maximum temperature fell to 17°C, nearly 10 degrees below the seasonal average. Meanwhile, Mukteshwar, a hill town in Nainital district, recorded a daytime temperature of approximately 6°C on Friday.
Officials anticipate the current system will gradually weaken starting Saturday. However, another weather system may become active around Sunday, potentially bringing isolated rainfall to districts including Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar. Overall, weather activity is expected to ease after Saturday, with only light, isolated rainfall forecasted until around March 26.
- Orange alert for northern districts: Heavy rain, snow, and strong winds.
- Yellow alert for other areas: Gusty winds and adverse conditions.
- Road blockages reported in Uttarkashi due to continuous snowfall.
- Significant temperature drops, with Dehradun 10°C below normal.
- Pilgrimage sites affected by up to two feet of snow accumulation.
