Red Alert Issued In Uttarakhand After Twin Cloudbursts; Schools Shut, Kedarnath Yatra Suspended

Following twin cloudbursts in Uttarkashi that swept away a village and sparked widespread fear, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a red alert for Uttarakhand along with a warning of heavy rainfall.

The IMD’s forecast indicated that isolated areas in several districts are likely to experience heavy rain. These include Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Udham Singh Nagar, Dehradun, Nainital, Champawat, and Pauri Garhwal.

Thunderstorms with lightning and intense spells of rainfall are also expected across the state.

In light of the alert, authorities have closed all schools and Anganwadi centres from Classes 1 to 12 in multiple districts. These include Dehradun, Nainital, Tehri, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Champawat, Pauri Garhwal, Almora, and Bageshwar, as a safety measure.

Ongoing rainfall has caused extensive damage to road networks, with link roads blocked in many locations.

Officials are working continuously to remove debris and reopen access.

The Badrinath National Highway has also been reported blocked in several places due to heavy rains.

Kedarnath Yatra Suspended Indefinitely

In a major development, the Kedarnath Yatra has been suspended until further notice, affecting thousands of pilgrims.

In Rudraprayag district, debris and falling rocks have blocked the motor route between Sonprayag and Gaurikund.

Meanwhile, the Mandakini River, flowing from Kedarghati, is currently swollen, raising further concerns.

Providing an official update, SP Rudraprayag Akshay Prahlad Konde stated, “In view of the safety of the general public and devotees, the Kedarnath Dham Yatra has been postponed till further orders. The devotees who have come on the Kedarnath Dham Yatra route have been safely stopped wherever they are.”

He added that rockfall threats along the Gaurikund-Kedarnath footpath have become a major concern. Combined with the road blockade, these risks have halted all movement in the area.

Police are on high alert throughout Rudraprayag, especially around the pilgrimage path.

With water levels rising in both the Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers, officials have advised the public to stay away from riverbanks for their safety.

Also Read: Army Intensifies Relief Ops In Dharali After Cloudburst; Evacuations, Aerial Support Underway