Uttarakhand National Highway blocked amid heavy rains; several states under orange alert as relief likely for Delhi-NCR

As Delhi-NCR continues to wait for monsoon showers, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued orange alerts for areas in Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, and Kerala, along with some isolated locations in different states. The meteorological department issued an orange alert in five districts of Kerala, which are Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Idukki, Malappuram, and Wayanad. Authorities have organized the evacuation of 3,220 individuals living in flood-prone regions in Kerala’s Idukki district.

In Uttarakhand, the Badrinath National Highway near Nandprayag and Bhaneropani was blocked amid continuous heavy rainfall. “The Badrinath National Highway is blocked near Nandprayag and Bhanerpani. Work is underway to open the road,” the Chamoli police in Uttarakhand said in a post on their official X handle.  The National Highway is a key route for pilgrims to travel to Kedarnath.

Certain areas of Jammu and Kashmir are under an orange alert following an increase in the water level of the Chenab River due to heavy rainfall in the area. Consequently, the Ramban district administration has released a notice prohibiting any activities close to the river. Delhi-NCR is expected to experience light to moderate rainfall today, with the weather department issuing a yellow alert for the area.

The meteorological department has forecast rain accompanied by thunderstorms for Delhi-NCR this Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the national capital saw a low of 28.7 degrees Celsius, with a high predicted to hit 37 degrees Celsius.

Following moderate to heavy rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, 53 roads were shut down, hindering traffic flow on those routes, as reported by PTI news agency. According to PTI, the state emergency operation center reported that 23 roads were obstructed in Kullu, 16 in Mandi, seven in Lahaul and Spiti, four in Una, and three in Sirmaur districts. The state’s local meteorological office has issued an orange alert for Sunday, with light to moderate rain expected in many areas on Friday, Sunday, and Monday.