Light to heavy rains lashed several parts of Uttarakhand over the past 24 hours, disrupting traffic on key routes, triggering landslides and leaving more than 80 roads blocked across the state, officials said on Saturday.
Pithoragarh had 16 blocked roads, followed by Chamoli with 14 and Dehradun with five, officials said. Uttarakhand received 6.1 mm of rainfall in the 24 hours ending at 8.30 am on Saturday, against a normal of 11.5 mm, recording a 47% deficit, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Bageshwar recorded the highest excess rainfall, receiving 25.6 mm against a normal of 5.4 mm, an excess of 374%. Udham Singh Nagar received 15.5 mm against a normal of 12.7 mm, an excess of 22%. The IMD Dehradun centre recorded localised heavy showers in several areas between 8.30 am and 1 pm. Sultanpur Patti in Udham Singh Nagar recorded the highest rainfall at 25 mm, followed by Chorgalia in Nainital with 17 mm, Maldevta in Dehradun with 7 mm and Chaubatia in Almora with 6.5 mm.
More than 80 roads remained blocked across Uttarakhand due to monsoon-related landslides and debris.
Similar warnings have been issued for Dehradun, Tehri, Pithoragarh, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, Pauri and Bageshwar for August 23. Rainfall activity is expected to be concentrated over Dehradun, Nainital and Bageshwar on August 24, and Dehradun, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar on August 25. Pithoragarh and Bageshwar are likely to receive heavy rain on August 26.
The authorities have warned of possible landslides, rockfalls, surface runoff and sudden rises in streams and rivulets, particularly in areas where the soil remains saturated.
