Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], August 10 : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued orange and yellow alerts for several districts, warning of heavy to very heavy rain and thunderstorms between August 10 and August 14.
According to the weather department, heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places in Bageshwar, Dehradun, Tehri, Pauri, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and Champawat districts of Uttarakhand.
The weather department said that thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are likely to occur at isolated places in all districts of Uttarakhand.
The orange alert is issued as a warning of extremely bad weather with the potential of disruption in the commute with road and rail closures, and interruption of power supply, while the yellow alert is issued to warn citizens of severely bad weather spanning across several days. It also suggests that the weather could change for the worse, causing disruption in day-to-day activities.
Meanwhile, the Uttarkashi district administration is working continuously to help people affected by the recent disaster in Dharali and Harshil. By 11 am on Sunday, 20 people had been rescued safely at Matli helipad, and after receiving first aid, they were sent to their destination.
The administration said that the availability of essential goods has been ensured in sufficient quantity in the disaster-affected areas of Dharali and Harshil. The work of delivering food items and other relief materials to each house has started. While the search and rescue operation is underway in the Dharali-Harsil area following a cloudburst.
A day earlier, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that more than 1,000 people, including devotees and pilgrims from across the country, have been rescued after the recent flash floods and mudslides in the Uttarkashi district.
Speaking to ANI on Saturday, CM Dhami asserted, "More than 1000 people have been rescued. All the devotees and pilgrims from all across the country, who were stuck there, have been rescued... All the injured people have been shifted to hospitals. Connectivity was completely destroyed in Harsil. It was restored there yesterday. A Bailey bridge will be installed by evening near Lachi Gad, which will help reconstruct roads till Harsil."
Uttarakhand Health Secretary R Rajesh Kumar said that doctors were treating patients in Dharali and that 28 ambulances had been stationed in the area for emergencies.