IMD Issues Red Alert for Heavy Rainfall in Himachal and Uttarakhand
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a red colour alert for Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, warning of very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall. The alert has prompted the closure of schools and Anganwadi centres in several districts as authorities prepare for possible landslides, flooding, and disruptions to normal life.
According to IMD, Himachal Pradesh has been receiving continuous heavy rainfall for the past two days, badly affecting normal activities. The red alert covers multiple districts, with officials warning of risks such as flash floods, landslides, and road blockages. In view of the warning, all educational institutions in 10 districts of Himachal Pradesh will remain closed today.
In Uttarakhand, the Meteorological Department has also issued a red alert for districts including Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Bageshwar, and Haridwar. An orange alert remains in place for other parts of the state. The government has ordered the closure of schools and Anganwadi centres in Dehradun, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Almora, Pauri, and Chamoli. Authorities have urged residents and tourists to stay indoors and avoid unnecessary travel.
The IMD has also forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall over East Rajasthan, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh for the next two days. Meanwhile, parts of Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Mahe, Konkan, and Goa are expected to witness heavy rainfall until September 3. Similar weather patterns are likely in the northeastern states for the next five days.
In addition to rainfall warnings, the weather office has predicted thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds at isolated places over the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The IMD’s monthly forecast indicates that September is expected to be wetter than usual, with most regions likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall. However, parts of northeast and east India, the extreme south peninsula, and some northern areas may receive below-normal showers.
While above-normal rainfall will support agriculture and replenish water resources, IMD cautioned that it could also lead to flooding, landslides, and public health challenges. Since 2021, IMD has been issuing monthly and seasonal forecasts for southwest monsoon rainfall to help authorities prepare better for weather-related risks.
Authorities in both Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have placed disaster response teams on high alert to ensure rapid assistance in case of emergencies.
