Fresh Snowfall Blankets Uttarakhand's Char Dham Districts, IMD Issues Orange Alert
Dehradun: The higher reaches of Uttarakhand's revered Char Dham districts experienced fresh snowfall on Tuesday, while the plains and foothills received substantial rainfall. This weather development prompted the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to issue an orange alert for large parts of the Himalayan state, warning residents of heavy rain, significant snowfall, and strong winds over the next forty-eight hours.
Widespread Precipitation Across Multiple Districts
Light to moderate snowfall was reported in Uttarkashi district, specifically affecting areas including Harsil, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. Simultaneously, the sacred Kedarnath shrine and nearby peaks in Rudraprayag district were also dusted with fresh snow. Higher elevations in Chamoli district witnessed similar snowfall, effectively reviving wintry conditions across the upper Himalayan regions. Lower altitude areas, in contrast, endured cold and persistently wet weather conditions throughout the day.
In the plains, the state capital Dehradun received intermittent showers, leading to what meteorologists term 'cold-day' conditions and a noticeable drop in temperatures. The regional weather office has forecast similar light to moderate rainfall for districts including Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar in the coming hours.
Detailed Weather Forecast and Official Warnings
The IMD has predicted isolated spells of heavy rain and snowfall specifically for the districts of Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Nainital, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh. Complementing this precipitation alert is a high wind-speed warning valid for the next twenty-four hours. Gusts reaching 40-50 kilometers per hour are expected at several locations, particularly in exposed and high-altitude areas where the impact will be most severe.
"The weather system remained somewhat sluggish overnight but became significantly more active during the daytime hours," explained C S Tomar, director of the regional meteorological centre. "Precipitation is likely to continue for the next couple of days, after which we anticipate a gradual improvement in conditions." Tomar added that light rain and snowfall could persist in the higher reaches, while the plains may continue to experience intermittent showers.
Looking further ahead, meteorologists are tracking another western disturbance likely to affect the region towards the end of the month. This system is expected to bring light to moderate rain and snowfall to areas situated above 2,800 meters, though officials note the intensity is projected to be lower than the current event.
Avalanche Alert and Disaster Management Advisory
In response to the heavy snowfall, the Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE) has issued a formal avalanche alert. This warning is in effect for the districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar until Wednesday. The establishment has strongly advised exercising extreme caution in snowbound areas and along routes identified as vulnerable to avalanches.
The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) has released a comprehensive public advisory in light of the severe weather and avalanche risk. The authority is urging citizens to:
- Avoid all unnecessary movement on snow-covered slopes and in areas prone to avalanches during the warning period.
- Refrain from halting or parking vehicles beneath slopes during or immediately after a snowfall event.
- Safely remove accumulated snow from rooftops, temporary shelters, and cattle sheds to prevent structural damage or collapse.
- For individuals temporarily staying in high-altitude areas experiencing heavy snowfall, consider relocating to safer, lower-altitude locations for one to two days, depending on the actual ground conditions.
"USDMA is closely and continuously monitoring the developing situation," stated Vinod Kumar Suman, secretary of disaster management and rehabilitation. "We are in coordination with all concerned departments to ensure necessary preparedness and response actions are taken promptly."
This weather event marks the most significant winter precipitation for Uttarakhand since widespread rain and snowfall was last recorded on January 23, signaling a active late-winter season for the region.
