The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a four-day heavy rainfall warning covering multiple districts of Uttarakhand from 11 July to 14 July, raising the threat of landslides, flash floods and disruption to the ongoing Char Dham Yatra. The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) has directed all district administrations across the state to remain on high alert.

The warning covers districts in both the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions, with isolated spells of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning and intense showers forecast over the next four days.

Districts Under Alert

On 11 July, the IMD flagged heavy rainfall for Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and Champawat districts. Conditions are expected to be particularly severe on 12 July in Pauri Garhwal, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, Nainital and Champawat.

Officials warned that rainfall could trigger landslides, rockfalls and debris accumulation on mountain roads, while low-lying plains areas may face waterlogging and traffic disruptions.

Ground Impact: Roads Blocked, Highway Sections Washed Away

The rainfall has already disrupted transportation across the state. Traffic on the Karnaprayag–Gwaldam National Highway at Narayanbagad in the Tharali area was briefly suspended after a section of the road was washed away. Authorities subsequently restored the route after clearance work.

Landslides were reported from multiple locations in Pauri Garhwal district. A vegetable-laden truck on the Gumkhal–Satpuli highway was struck by a large boulder near Malli Satpuli, causing extensive damage to the vehicle and scattering its cargo across the road. No casualties were reported in the incident.

The Kotdwar–Pauri National Highway has since been reopened after debris near Satpuli was cleared, as has the Srinagar–Rudraprayag National Highway following debris removal near Sirobagar, where police personnel remain deployed to manage traffic. The Garud Chatti–Neelkanth Mahadev Road has also been cleared and reopened.

Char Dham Yatra Under Watch

With the Char Dham Yatra currently underway and thousands of devotees travelling daily to pilgrimage sites, authorities have intensified surveillance along the Badrinath and Kedarnath routes. Rescue and relief teams have been stationed at vulnerable locations in Rudraprayag district to monitor conditions and ensure pilgrim safety.

Teams from the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), district administration and Public Works Department are continuously monitoring high-risk stretches. Officials said traffic may be temporarily restricted at certain sections if conditions deteriorate.

Notably, persistent rainfall has also caused the Ganga River water level to rise significantly in Rishikesh, with the river approaching the warning mark at Triveni Ghat.

Preparedness Measures and Public Advisory

The SEOC has instructed all district magistrates to pre-position JCBs and heavy machinery at vulnerable locations, keep rescue and relief teams on standby, and ensure immediate emergency response capacity. The administration has appealed to the public to avoid unnecessary travel during adverse weather, stay away from rivers, streams and landslide-prone areas, and follow only official advisories issued by district administrations and the IMD.

With conditions forecast to remain volatile through 14 July, authorities are expected to maintain heightened vigilance, particularly along pilgrimage corridors where any road blockage can strand large numbers of devotees.