The weather has swung sharply once again across Uttarakhand, and its effect is being felt from the high hills down to the plains. According to the Dehradun centre of the India Meteorological Department, several parts of the state face a risk of light to moderate rain along with strong winds and lightning on Wednesday, June 25. Scattered showers are expected at a few places in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Nainital, Dehradun, Tehri and Pithoragarh.
The biggest worry is the strong, gusty wind. The weather department says winds could blow at 40 to 50 kilometres per hour during this spell, which is why both residents and tourists have been urged to stay especially alert. While the hill districts are enjoying pleasant weather thanks to light rain, the plains are sweltering under harsh sunshine and temperatures running well above normal.
Humidity in the plains, a chill in the hills
Over the past 24 hours, some parts of the state saw heavy rain while others were hit by dusty, strong winds. The maximum temperature in the plains has climbed well above normal, whereas in the hills the daytime mercury has stayed below normal because of continuous scattered rain and moving clouds. The state's highest temperature was recorded at Pantnagar in Udham Singh Nagar district at 37.3 degrees Celsius, which has pushed up the humidity in the plains. In sharp contrast, the minimum temperature at Kedarnath Dham in Rudraprayag district dropped to 6.8 degrees Celsius, leaving the area gripped by bitter cold.
Yellow alert for these 8 districts
The weather department has issued a yellow alert for eight key districts of the state for June 25. Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Dehradun, Tehri, Nainital and Pithoragarh could see thunderstorms with lightning at isolated places, along with strong winds gusting at 40 to 50 km per hour. Local residents in these districts as well as pilgrims on the Char Dham Yatra have been advised to remain cautious. In particular, people have been warned not to take shelter under trees or weak structures during a storm.
Rain brings relief to Dehradun, Mussoorie and Tehri
The capital Dehradun and nearby tourist spots such as Mussoorie, Dhanaulti and Chakrata have turned delightfully cool after rain a day earlier. Figures show Mussoorie received 46 mm, Chakrata 34.2 mm and Dhanaulti 36 mm of rain, putting smiles on the faces of visitors. Light to moderate showers are again likely in parts of Dehradun and Tehri today, which could pull temperatures down further. However, winds gusting at 56 km per hour at Maldevta have added a note of concern.
Conditions at Kedarnath, Badrinath and Uttarkashi
For devotees heading out on the Char Dham Yatra, the reassuring news is that there is no warning of heavy snowfall in the mountains, though the spell of rain will continue. Uttarkashi recorded 44 mm of rain at Barkot and 40 mm at Jankichatti, while Badrinath in Chamoli logged 5.4 mm. Kedarnath too saw a light drizzle of 1.5 mm. Light to moderate rain and lightning are possible at some places in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Chamoli today, so travellers have been told to move ahead only after checking the latest weather updates.
Cloudy skies over Nainital, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar
The hill districts of the Kumaon region have also seen good rain. Pithoragarh recorded 35.6 mm, Champawat 21.5 mm and Bageshwar 13 mm. On June 25, parts of Nainital, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh could witness another round of rain accompanied by thunder and lightning. The rain in the hills is also pushing up river water levels in a normal way. People living in the remote mountainous areas of Bageshwar and Pithoragarh need to be especially watchful.
Dry heat in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, the days ahead
While the hills are getting a steady spell of rain, the plains districts of Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar (Pantnagar) will stay dry for now. There is no chance of rain in these two districts on June 26 and 27, and skies will remain clear, which could push up the heat and humidity. The weather will, however, change from June 28. On June 29, light to moderate rain is expected at many places across nearly all the hill districts and at some places in the plains. According to the weather department, widespread heavy rain is strongly likely across all of Uttarakhand on June 30, bringing major relief from the heat statewide.
