Following continuous heavy monsoon rainfall across Uttarakhand, authorities suspended all schools up to Class 12 in Dehradun, Chamoli, and Bageshwar districts as swollen rivers crossed warning and danger thresholds. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an 'Orange Alert' for these regions while major rivers, including the Alaknanda and Mandakini, overflowed, triggering widespread highway blockages and heightened disaster management readiness.Uttarakhand Weather & Disaster Alert: Key OverviewPersistent downpours in the upper catchment areas of the Himalayas have led to a rapid rise in water levels across major river systems in the state. The administration has ordered precautionary school closures, halted non-essential travel in vulnerable hill tracts, and placed local municipal and rescue teams on high alert.Parameter / AspectStatus & DetailsAffected Districts (School Closure)Dehradun, Chamoli, Bageshwar (Classes 1–12 & Anganwadi)IMD Weather AlertOrange Alert (Dehradun, Chamoli, Bageshwar); Yellow Alert elsewhereRivers Above Danger / Warning LevelAlaknanda, Mandakini, Bhagirathi, Raisi (Banganga)Key Highway BlockagesBadrinath NH (Helang), Gangotri NH (Nalupani), Yamunotri NH (Silai Band)Disaster Response LevelHigh Alert; Public address announcements active along riverbanksSwelling Rivers Cross Danger ThresholdsData from the Central Water Commission (CWC) revealed a sharp surge in water levels across major tributaries of the Ganges system:Alaknanda River: Flowing at the danger mark of 627 metres at Rudraprayag with a rising trend.Mandakini River: Recorded at 626.20 metres, exceeding its danger level of 626 metres.Bhagirathi River: Reached the warning level of 462 metres at Devprayag.Raisi (Banganga) River: Recorded at 230.09 metres in Haridwar, surpassing its warning threshold.In response, Rudraprayag District Disaster Management Officer Nandan Singh Rajwar directed field officers to maintain peak preparedness and use public address systems to urge residents along riverbanks to move to higher ground.Landslides Block Key Char Dham RoutesHeavy downpours caused multiple landslides, sending mud and boulder debris tumbling down hill slopes and choking key national highways:Badrinath National Highway: Blocked near Helang in Chamoli district due to massive debris accumulation.Gangotri National Highway: Traffic halted near Dharasu Nalupani in Uttarkashi district.Yamunotri National Highway: Interrupted at multiple stretches including Silai Band, Durbil, Jangalchatti, and Sayanachatti.State infrastructure crews and heavy earth-moving machinery have been deployed to clear the roads, though ongoing rainfall continues to hamper clearance operations.State Review & IMD ForecastUttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held an emergency review meeting with Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman to inspect relief measures and inter-agency coordination."We appeal to all residents, pilgrims, and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel in hilly areas and check verified weather and traffic advisories before setting out on any journey."— Vinod Kumar Suman, Secretary of Disaster Management, UttarakhandThe IMD predicts intense to extremely intense spells of rain over the next 24 to 48 hours across northern and central districts. Officials have urged pilgrims on the Char Dham Yatra route to remain sheltered at safe staging locations until weather conditions stabilize.Also Read :- Delhi Weather Update : Heavy Rain Brings Relief as Dark Clouds Cover NCR
