The monsoon is picking up pace across Uttarakhand once again. The weather department has forecast continuous rain in several districts of the state over the next four days, with light to heavy showers expected in the hilly regions in particular. A yellow alert has been issued today for several districts, including Champawat, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh, and residents have been advised to check the weather situation before stepping out of their homes.
Thunderstorms and heavy showers likely in the hills
According to the weather department, several areas could witness spells of thunder and heavy rain in the coming days. People living in the hill districts, as well as travellers heading there, have been urged to exercise extra caution. In contrast, the plains are expected to remain relatively dry for now, although light rain cannot be ruled out in a few places. A yellow alert typically signals the need for caution rather than an emergency, but the weather department has still advised people to avoid unnecessary travel on mountain roads unless required.
Where it will rain today, July 15
Today, several parts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital and Pithoragarh are likely to see light to moderate rain along with thunderstorms. Some rain is also expected in isolated spots across the state's other hill districts, while the plains are forecast to stay mostly dry. The weather department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain in Champawat, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts. Lightning strikes and spells of heavy to very heavy rain are possible in these three districts, prompting the local administration to call for precautions.
Temperatures swung above and below normal over the last 24 hours
Data from the last 24 hours shows that maximum temperatures in Uttarakhand's plains were recorded well above normal, while temperatures in the hilly areas also stayed above normal. Minimum temperatures were above normal in the plains but below normal in the hills. The state's highest maximum temperature of 35.8 degrees Celsius was recorded at Pantnagar in Udham Singh Nagar, while the lowest minimum temperature of 14.1 degrees Celsius was recorded at Mukteshwar in Nainital. The gap between hill and plain readings underlines how unevenly the monsoon system is behaving this week.
Kumaon division to feel a bigger impact on July 16
On July 16, most districts of the Kumaon division are likely to see light to moderate rain in several places. Some spots in the hill districts of the Garhwal division could also see rain, while Haridwar district is expected to receive light rain. A yellow alert for heavy rain has been issued for Dehradun, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Champawat and Bageshwar districts on this day. Lightning and heavy rain are also possible in the hilly areas.
Yellow alert to continue in several districts on July 17 and 18
On July 17, heavy rain is expected in Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pithoragarh, Nainital and Bageshwar districts, and a yellow alert has been issued for all of them. Thunderstorms with heavy rain are likely in the hilly areas, while some places in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar could also see thundershowers. Following that, a heavy rain warning has been issued for Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Nainital and Bageshwar districts on July 18, where the yellow alert will remain in force. Lightning and heavy rain could continue in the hilly regions, while some spots in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar may also see light rain accompanied by thunder.
What to expect in the capital, Dehradun
Dehradun is expected to remain partly cloudy on July 15. Rain or thundershowers are likely during this period, and dust storms could also occur in some spots. From July 16 to 18, the city will generally remain cloudy, with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers expected. The weather department has made clear that people need to stay alert and keep track of weather updates during this period, especially those planning to travel to the hill districts.
