Visuals from Uttarakhand show severe waterlogging, flood-like situation as heavy rains continue

Severe waterlogging and a flood-like situation gripped Uttarakhand on Tuesday as heavy rainfall continued to lash the state. The India Meteorological Department had issued yellow and orange alerts for most parts of Uttarakhand. Visuals from the region, particularly the Bhimtal-Nainital stretch, painted a grim picture of the aftermath.

Severe waterlogging was evident, with streams overflowing and flowing into the Bhimtal bypass. Streets were submerged under muddy waters, and several houses in the area were affected by water intrusion. Neighbourhoods were particularly hit hard, with entire areas experiencing waterlogging.

The weather department warned of light rain with thunderstorms in Uttarkashi, Dehradun, Tehri Garhwal, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Pauri Garhwal, and Haridwar. An orange alert was also issued for several districts including Almora, Udham Singh Nagar, Nainital, Champhawat, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh. The downpour in north India had triggered flood-like conditions along major river basins, causing significant disruption in the state.

The heavy rainfall overnight led to the Tamasa River swelling in Dehradun and surrounding areas. All schools from Classes 1 to 12, along with Anganwadi centers in Dehradun district, were closed due to the forecast of extremely heavy rain. Tragically, two people lost their lives, while a young woman was rescued after a four-wheeler was swept away by a strong water current near Kandoli Bridge on Poundha Road in Dehradun's Prem Nagar area.

Emergency personnel were dispatched to the area following reports of an SUV being washed away by rainwater. In Uttar Pradesh, rising water levels in the Ganga and Yamuna rivers resulted in floodwaters entering homes along the riverbanks in Prayagraj. The Ganga River near Varanasi had been experiencing rising water levels due to sustained heavy rainfall upstream, causing low-lying areas to be inundated.

Local administrations in affected regions were closely monitoring the situation, with response teams on alert. Emergency service personnel were deployed near riverbanks to prevent any untoward incidents. The Ganga river in Rishikesh had also risen amid continuous downpour in the Garhwal division, though it currently remained below the warning mark.