IMD Says Extremely Heavy Rainfall Cannot Be Ruled Out in Uttarakhand This Weekend

Current Summary

According to IMD alerts and multiple September 25-26 reports (India Today, Livemint, Hindustan Times, The Hindu, News On AIR, ANI, Times of India, Telangana Today, Prashant News, New Indian Express), Uttarakhand faces a fresh spell of intense rain linked to a western disturbance and a weakening depression tracking north-northwest from Chhattisgarh/Odisha. For September 26, red alerts cover Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar; orange alerts cover Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Almora; yellow alerts cover Haridwar, Uttarkashi and Tehri Garhwal. For September 27, red alerts cover Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Pauri Garhwal and Haridwar, with Nainital, Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Rudraprayag under orange alert; IMD forecasts extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places in Dehradun, Tehri and Pauri specifically, with heavy to very heavy rain elsewhere and thunderstorms with gusty winds up to 50 kmph. Snowfall is likely above 3,600 to 4,000 metres depending on the source. Dehradun Meteorological Centre director CS Tomar said the combined impact of two weather systems is likely to bring intense rainfall across the state from the night of September 25 until the forenoon of September 28, peaking on September 26-27. Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop has issued a letter to all district magistrates suspending the entire Char Dham Yatra from Saturday afternoon until Sunday, September 27, citing the red rain alert and the safety of pilgrims arriving from across the country and abroad, with the yatra to resume once weather conditions normalise. State Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman confirmed the suspension also covers Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage and adventure trekking, saying restrictions will remain until Sunday evening or until weather conditions improve, and that areas around Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath face the prospect of sustained heavy rainfall as cloud formation increases. Char Dham Yatra OSD Prajapati Nautiyal told ANI the suspension follows the Red Alert from the Meteorological Centre and State Emergency Operation Centre, and advised pilgrims to stay in safe locations and proceed only once conditions improve. A September 26 Times of India report says the Adi Kailash Yatra has also been suspended amid heavy rainfall and landslides in parts of the state. Schools have been closed as a precaution in Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Nainital and Rudraprayag districts on Saturday, with Pithoragarh district magistrate Ashish Bhatgai separately ordering all schools and Anganwadi centres, classes 1-12, closed and advising residents to stay away from rivers and streams, avoid landslide-prone hill roads, and rely only on official sources for updates. Officials say no loss of life or property has been reported so far in the state. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman to maintain heightened vigilance across red and orange alert districts and keep relief and rescue arrangements ready, with district emergency operation centres instructed to remain operational. Intermittent rainfall continues in parts of Chamoli district, and snowfall has begun at Hemkund Sahib and higher reaches of the district, with temperatures dropping further and helicopter services for the yatra also affected, even as pilgrims continue to arrive. IMD forecasts isolated extremely heavy rainfall continuing into Sunday, September 27, as the weakening weather system moves north-northwestward. Incessant rainfall and dense fog have been reported across Kedarnath Dham in Rudraprayag district, reducing visibility and disrupting normal life in surrounding rural areas.

What Changed

• 26 Sept, 09:51 pm
  State Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman confirmed the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib pilgrimage suspension also covers adventure trekking, with restrictions to remain until Sunday evening or until weather conditions improve. He said cloud formation had increased significantly and much heavier rain was expected from Saturday evening, with areas around Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath facing sustained heavy rainfall.
• 26 Sept, 08:11 pm
  IMD's Sunday, September 27 outlook adds detail to the ongoing alert: Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal and Pauri Garhwal are forecast to see extremely heavy rainfall at isolated places, with heavy to very heavy rain likely elsewhere in the state and thunderstorms bringing gusty winds up to 50 kmph. Snowfall is expected above 3,600 metres, a lower threshold than the 4,000 metres cited in earlier reports, reflecting differing forecast estimates. The system, a weakening depression moving north-northwestward, is expected to continue affecting the state into Sunday morning.
• 26 Sept, 07:32 pm
  A September 26 Times of India report says the Adi Kailash Yatra has also been suspended, alongside the Char Dham Yatra, as heavy rainfall triggers landslides in parts of the state.
• 26 Sept, 07:22 pm
  State Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman confirmed adventure trekking has also been suspended alongside the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib pilgrimages, saying the restrictions will remain until Sunday evening or until weather conditions improve. He said cloud formation had increased significantly and travel during the expected heavy rain would not be safe, with areas around Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath facing sustained heavy rainfall.
• 26 Sept, 07:22 pm
  Uttarkashi district administration has separately ordered a two-day suspension of the Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham pilgrimage following the IMD's red alert, with pilgrim movement halted at designated transit points. Light to heavy rainfall was also reported in Nainital, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Uttarkashi districts, while light to moderate snowfall was recorded at Hemkund Sahib on Saturday morning during religious prayers, according to the shrine's Govind Ghat manager.
• 26 Sept, 02:32 pm
  IMD forecasts isolated extremely heavy rainfall continuing into Sunday, September 27, as the weakening weather system moves north-northwestward. Incessant rainfall and dense fog have been reported across Kedarnath Dham in Rudraprayag district, reducing visibility and disrupting normal life in surrounding rural areas.
• 26 Sept, 02:01 pm
  ANI quotes Char Dham Yatra OSD Prajapati Nautiyal confirming the suspension follows a Red Alert from the Meteorological Centre and State Emergency Operation Centre, prioritising pilgrim safety on the Garhwal Commissioner's directive. Pilgrims are advised to remain in safe locations and proceed only once weather clears. Intermittent rain continues in Chamoli district, with ongoing snowfall at Hemkund Sahib deepening cold conditions, and helicopter services for the yatra have also been affected.
• 26 Sept, 11:21 am
  Schools have been closed as a precaution in Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Nainital and Rudraprayag districts on Saturday amid the red rain alert. Officials say no loss of life or property has been reported so far in the state.
• 26 Sept, 10:31 am
  Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop has issued a letter to all district magistrates suspending the Char Dham Yatra from Saturday afternoon until Sunday, citing red and orange rain alerts and pilgrim safety. The yatra will resume once weather conditions normalise.
• 26 Sept, 07:21 am
  The Gangotri and Yamunotri pilgrimages have been suspended amid the IMD's red alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall, officials said. The suspension marks an escalation from the earlier stance that the Char Dham Yatra would continue through the alert period with pilgrims possibly held at the nearest safe point.
• 26 Sept, 07:21 am
  Intermittent rain has hit several parts of Chamoli district, and snowfall has begun in higher-altitude areas, officials said Saturday. Continuous snowfall at Hemkund Sahib has pushed temperatures down further, with the shrine area gradually being covered in snow. Devotees continue to arrive at Badrinath Dham and Hemkund Sahib despite the falling temperatures at both shrines.
• 26 Sept, 05:01 am
  A News On AIR report adds that the Char Dham Yatra will continue through the red/orange alert period, but pilgrims may be stopped at the nearest holding area if heavy rainfall makes routes unsafe. CM Dhami has again appealed to residents and tourists to avoid unnecessary travel during the alert.
• 25 Sept, 04:10 pm
  IMD's alert breakdown additionally specifies yellow alerts for Haridwar, Uttarkashi and Tehri Garhwal on September 26, alongside the previously reported red and orange alert districts for September 26-27.
• 25 Sept, 02:51 pm
  Hindustan Times reports the IMD's Dehradun Meteorological Centre director CS Tomar has said the combined impact of two weather systems will bring intense rainfall across Uttarakhand from the night of September 25 until the forenoon of September 28, peaking on September 26 and 27. Snowfall is likely above 4,000 metres over the same period. Authorities have advised pilgrims, tourists and commuters to avoid non-essential travel and vulnerable areas given the risk of landslides, flash floods and disruption to roads and essential services.
• 25 Sept, 02:10 pm
  Ahead of the September 26-27 red alerts, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami directed Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman to ensure heightened vigilance in red and orange alert districts, continuous monitoring of vulnerable areas, and advance relief and rescue arrangements. Disaster Management Minister Madan Kaushik also reviewed preparedness. Following the CM's directions, Suman held a meeting with all 13 districts on Friday, instructing them to remain on alert mode, keep district emergency operation centres active, and disseminate weather warnings immediately at the local level.
• 25 Sept, 12:51 pm
  Pithoragarh district magistrate Ashish Bhatgai has ordered a one-day closure of all government and private schools and Anganwadi centres, classes 1 to 12, for September 26 in view of the heavy rainfall warning. The administration has advised parents to keep children at home, warned residents to stay away from rivers, streams and ravines if water levels rise, and asked motorists to remain alert on hilly, landslide- and rockfall-prone routes. The DM has appealed to the public to report emergencies immediately to the tehsil administration or district disaster management authority.
• 25 Sept, 12:51 pm
  CM Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to maintain heightened vigilance in districts under red and orange alert, ordering continuous monitoring of vulnerable areas and advance relief and rescue arrangements. Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman held a video conference with all 13 district administrations on Friday, instructing them to remain on alert mode; district emergency operation centres have been told to stay active and disseminate weather warnings at the local level.
• 25 Sept, 11:20 am
  IMD has issued a red alert for extremely heavy rain in Bageshwar, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar on September 26, with Dehradun, Pauri, Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Almora under orange alert and remaining districts under yellow. For September 27, a red alert covers Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar and Pauri, with Nainital, Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Rudraprayag under orange alert. The spell, linked to a fresh western disturbance, is expected to bring thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds through September 28, even as the southwest monsoon withdraws from parts of northern India.
• 25 Sept, 08:41 am
  A September 25 ETV Bharat report says the IMD has placed Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh on alert for heavy to very heavy rain over the next two to three days, even as the southwest monsoon begins withdrawing. Meteorologists cite lingering atmospheric moisture and heavy rain in Nepal's hills, which is raising flood risk in border areas. The report's specific rainfall forecasts are detailed mainly for Uttar Pradesh districts; Uttarakhand-specific district breakdowns are not disclosed.
• 25 Sept, 07:10 am
  Signal detected: IMD Says Extremely Heavy Rainfall Cannot Be Ruled Out in Uttarakhand This Weekend