IMD Predicts Heavy To Extremely Heavy Rainfall In Uttarakhand On Aug 13-14, Issues Red Alert

IMD has issued a red alert for Uttarakhand for August 13 and 14, predicting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the state.

IMD issues red alert for Uttarakhand. ( Image Source :PTI )

Uttarakhand Rain:  The Indian Meteorological Department on Saturday issued a red alert for Uttarakhand and predicted heavy to extremely heavy rainfall for August 13 and August 14. IMD tweeted that heavy to very heavy rainfall, reaching extremely heavy levels of rainfall is expected in the state on Sunday and Monday (August 13-14). Notably, the hill state has been battling severe floods and landslides due to torrential rain for over a month. Waterlogging and disruption of normal lives have become a normal phenomenon for the residents here.

"Urgent red alert issued for Uttarakhand as heavy to very heavy rainfall, reaching extremely heavy levels (more than 204.4 mm), is forecasted for August 13th and 14th. Stay safe," India Meteorological Department tweeted. 

Earlier, a landslide in Uttarakhand's Gaurikund killed seven persons while a search operation is on for the remaining 16. Five pilgrims were killed after a car they were travelling in was buried under the debris of a landslide at Tarsali under Chowki Phata in Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district on Thursday, police said, as reported by ANI.

Police said that the bodies were recovered on Friday as there was a let-up in incessant rains. According to PTI, the dead included three devotees from Gujarat and one from Haridwar. Police said they were trying to identify the fifth victim.

"A 60-meter portion of the Kedarnathgya highway collapsed due to heavy debris falling from the hill with boulders in Tarsali. During this, a vehicle was buried in the debris here," officials said, as quoted by ANI.

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami took stock of the ground inspection of the rain-hit Kotdwar area where a man had gone missing in a landslide a few days ago. Several bridges were damaged here cutting off a large population from the rest of the state. Assembly Speaker and local MLA Ritu Khanduri was also present during the ground inspection.