Dehradun: Amid heavy rainfall in Uttarakhand, the Meteorological Department has issued a warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in the capital city of Dehradun over the next 24 hours.
At least 84 roads, including two national highways, have been blocked due to landslides triggered by incessant rainfall at several locations across the state.
In view of the severe weather conditions, District Magistrate Dr. Ashish Chauhan has declared a one-day holiday on Monday, July 20, for all schools from Classes 1 to 12 and all Anganwadi centres across the district.
Two people lost their lives after being struck by lightning in Uttarakhand’s Haridwar district as continuous rainfall affected large parts of the state. The administration has been placed on high alert following the issuance of red and orange weather warnings for 10 districts on Sunday.
Meteorological Department Issues ‘Red Alert’
According to an official order issued by the Office of the District Magistrate and District Disaster Management Authority, Dehradun, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Dehradun, and the NDMA’s National Disaster Alert Portal have issued a red alert for heavy rainfall in Dehradun on Monday.
The weather department has predicted heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places in Dehradun district during the next 24 hours, accompanied by lightning and spells of extremely intense to exceptionally intense rainfall.
For Sunday, the IMD has issued a red alert for Nainital, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, and other vulnerable districts. For July 20, a red alert has been issued for Haridwar, Tehri Garhwal, and Dehradun. An orange alert has been issued for Uttarkashi, Pauri Garhwal, and Nainital, while the remaining districts have been placed under a yellow alert.
To prevent any untoward incidents arising from the severe weather conditions and to minimise the risk of possible disasters, the administration has taken this precautionary measure in view of the ‘Red Alert’.
Order Applicable to All Schools
The District Magistrate’s order states that all government, non-government, and private schools operating within Dehradun district, along with all Anganwadi centres, will remain completely closed on Monday.
Strict instructions have been issued to the Chief Education Officer, Dehradun, and the District Programme Officer, Dehradun, to ensure 100% compliance with the order across all educational institutions and Anganwadi centres.