By Seekriti Saha
The schools and Anganwadi centres in Dehradun, Uttarakhand will be closed today due to the warning from Meteorological Department (IMD) because of the enormity of rainfall happening in the area.
“In view of the possibility of heavy rainfall issued by the Meteorological Department, Dehradun, a holiday has been declared for all schools from classes 1 to 12 as well as all Anganwadi centers in the Dehradun district for tomorrow, Tuesday, i.e., August 12. This order will apply not only to school students but also equally to school management and staff,” as reported on Monday.
The Kedarnath Yatra in Uttarakhand has been suspended across three days as IMD issued a red alert. The district has been placed on high alert and deployed security measures for the safety of both residents and tourists.
“We are keeping a check on the rising water levels of the river here. We also appeal to residents to shift to safer places and be safe. All personnel, including the police, public service department and disaster management teams, have been asked to be on alert. We will be keeping a check on the weather, and will let the public know when the Kedarnath Yatra will resume,” he added.
Uttarakhand is facing record breaking rainfall for monsoon season, Dehradun received highest in single-day rainfall in 74 years-200mm in 24 hours.
The tourism industry is being greatly affected with 80 per cent of Nainital hotel bookings cancelled. Road routes of Gaurikund highway have faced prolonged closures. The rainfall has caused the temperature of the region to lower by 5 degrees to 6 degrees below normal.
Char Dham Highway corridor- including the routes to Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri-has witnessed a rise in landslides as a consequence of road cutting projects for building infrastructures in the area.
Many villages in Uttarakashi Bhatwari block are sinking-gps measurements show displacements of up to 10ft per year- driven by unchecked road widening.
Notably these disasters echo the 2021 Chamouli Rishiganga Disaster which consisted of flash floods and debris flow that occurred in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India on February 7,2021.