Pre-monsoon showers cause flood-like conditions in Uttarakhand's Garhwal

DEHRADUN: Pre-monsoon showers continued to affect the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand on Thursday, leading to flash-flood-like conditions in parts of Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts.
Following sporadic rainfall on Thursday, several local streams and rivulets overflowed due to sudden downpours, particularly in Ukhimath tehsil of Rudraprayag district. Villages such as Dhaulakanyas and Kandara were impacted, and reports of damage also came in from Agustmuni block.
District authorities confirmed that there have been no reported fatalities so far. The heavy rain triggered debris flow, blocking roads and washing away culverts in the strong currents. "Some rivulets in Ukhimath and Agustmuni blocks swelled due to sudden rainfall in upstream areas. Debris blocked a few roads, but fortunately, there were no casualties," said NK Rajwar, Rudraprayag disaster management officer.
Meanwhile, a hailstorm hit parts of Dehradun late Thursday, bringing a sudden drop in temperatures and adding to the weather instability. In response, the regional meteorological centre issued an upgraded weather alert, raising it to ‘orange' for the next 24 hours, starting Thursday afternoon. The forecast warns of thunderstorms with lightning, hail, and strong winds across several parts of the state.
Winds up to 50 kmph may affect Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Tehri, Bageshwar, and Almora, while Dehradun, Pauri, Udham Singh Nagar, and Haridwar could experience squalls of 60 to 70 kmph, gusting up to 80 kmph. Heavy rainfall and similar stormy conditions are expected in Nainital, Champawat, and Pithoragarh.
Notably, light to moderate showers were recorded across the state on Wednesday, with Maneri receiving the highest rainfall at 57 mm, followed by Chaukhutiya and Berinag with 25 mm each, Gangolihat at 24 mm, and Pantnagar at 23 mm.
Thunderstorms hit areas including Pantnagar, Haripur, Mukteshwar, Tehri, Dehradun, Mussoorie, Chakrata, Pithoragarh, and parts of Bageshwar district. Hail was reported in Tehri at 8 mm, Mukteshwar at 2 mm, and Pithoragarh at less than 5 mm, according to the met department.