Uttarakhand Faces Monsoon Fury With Schools Shut Landslides Disrupt Travel Heavy Rain Alert Issued In Four Districts
Uttarakhand is reeling under the onslaught of a relentless monsoon as continuous heavy rainfall triggers landslides, waterlogging, and widespread disruption. The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for four districts—Dehradun, Rudraprayag, Nainital, and Bageshwar—warning of intense downpours. Schools have been closed, roads blocked, and the famous Char Dham Yatra has also taken a hit due to unsafe travel conditions.
Over the past 24 hours, Dehradun recorded a maximum temperature of 30.2°C, three degrees below normal, providing relief from the usual humidity. However, the same rains have caused flooding in key parts of the city, including Prince Chowk, DL Road, Vijaypur, and Kandoli. Blocked drains led to waterlogging across Mohkampur late into the night, while ongoing construction and underground power line work only worsened the chaos.
In Rudraprayag, landslides on the Badrinath highway completely halted traffic, with SDRF and administration teams working through the night to clear debris. Landslides have also been reported in Chamoli, Uttarkashi, and Pithoragarh, with 87 roads currently blocked across the state.
In Mussoorie, a massive oak tree fell on the Mussoorie-Dhanaulti road near Tehri Bus Stand, damaging a car and a motorcycle and causing traffic delays for hours. Fortunately, a major tragedy was averted as the tree collapsed just seconds after vehicles passed. Schoolchildren had difficulty commuting due to blocked routes.
Taking the weather threat seriously, the Dehradun District Magistrate ordered all schools and Anganwadi centers from classes 1 to 12 to remain shut for the day. A similar decision was made in Bageshwar. The Dehradun Municipal Corporation has identified 35 dilapidated buildings, five of which have since been deemed safe after reconstruction. Residents of the remaining structures have been asked to stay alert.
The ongoing monsoon has severely impacted the Char Dham pilgrimage. Parts of the Yamunotri Highway, especially near Silai Band and Ojhari, have been washed away, forcing authorities to advise pilgrims to avoid unnecessary travel.
The IMD has predicted that the rain spell will continue across Uttarakhand for the next 14 days. Today, Dehradun is likely to see temperatures between 24°C and 27°C, while Rudraprayag, Chamoli, and Nainital could experience thunderstorms and intense rain. Snowfall is also likely in higher altitude areas.
