The Uttarakhand State Emergency Centre has asked officials in Dehradun, Uttarkashi, and Bageshwar to stay alert after the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red warning for heavy rain on Saturday.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed the Disaster Management Secretary and district magistrates to carry out quick relief and rescue work after a cloudburst hit Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and nearby districts. He assured that the government stands with the people in this crisis.
A statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said, "CM Dhami has directed the State Disaster Management Secretary and District Magistrates of the concerned districts to carry out rapid relief and rescue operations in the areas affected by the cloudburst in Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and other districts, and to make proper arrangements for disaster-affected people."
Satellite images from INSAT-3DR showed strong cloud activity over parts of Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Assam, and other states. IMD said this could bring heavy rains and thunderstorms.
The weather office has warned of heavy rain in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, and West Uttar Pradesh from August 30 to September 2. In Himachal and Uttarakhand, some areas may see very heavy rainfall, raising the risk of flash floods.
On Friday, Chamoli Police warned people to stay away from rivers as water levels rose to dangerous levels. Residents living close to riverbanks were moved to safer places. Rudraprayag Police also urged people not to go near the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, which had swelled due to continuous rain.
Rudraprayag Police said, "Due to continuous rainfall, the water levels of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers have risen significantly. The Rudraprayag Police
and administration teams are informing the general public to avoid going near the riverbanks and to move to safe locations."
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