Key Points

Heavy rainfall has caused landslides, blocking 23 roads in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district. The Kedarnath Yatra has been temporarily suspended due to a red alert issued by the IMD. Schools in Dehradun have been closed as a precautionary measure. Authorities are urging residents near water bodies to relocate to safer areas.

Key Points: 23 Roads Closed in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh Due to Landslides

  • Four major highways including Thal-Munsiyari road blocked by landslides
  • Schools and Anganwadi centres shut in Dehradun due to heavy rain alert
  • Kedarnath Yatra suspended for three days amid IMD red alert
  • District administration on high alert monitoring river water levels
3 min read

Over 23 roads, including four major ones, closed in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh due to landslides

Heavy rainfall triggers landslides, shutting 23 roads in Pithoragarh, halting Kedarnath Yatra, and closing schools in Dehradun.

"We appeal to residents to shift to safer places and be safe... All personnel have been asked to be on alert. – District Magistrate Prateek Jain"

Pithoragarh, August 12

Due to rain-induced minor landslides, four major roads and more than 19 rural roads are closed in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district on Tuesday, said the district police.

The major roads closed include Thal - Munsiyari road, Tawaghat - Gunji road, Munsiyari - Milam road, and Dharchula - Tawaghat road.

Meanwhile, a holiday has been declared for all schools from classes 1 to 12, as well as all Anganwadi centres in the Dehradun district today, in view of the possibility of a heavy rainfall alert issued by the Meteorological Department.

"In view of the possibility of heavy rainfall issued by the Meteorological Department, Dehradun, a holiday has been declared for all schools from classes 1 to 12 as well as all Anganwadi centres in the Dehradun district for tomorrow, Tuesday, i.e., August 12. This order will apply not only to school students but also equally to school management and staff," an official release said on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Kedarnath Yatra in Uttarakhand has been temporarily halted for three days due to a red alert issued by the IMD predicting heavy rainfall in the region.

The district administration has been put on high alert, and security arrangements have been made to ensure the safety of pilgrims and locals.

As per the predictions by the IMD, heavy rain is expected in Rudraprayag district and the entire state on August 12, 13 and 14.

"As per the predictions by the IMD, red and orange alerts have been predicted in Rudraprayag and other districts of the state. The administration has been put on alert, and security arrangements have also been made," District Magistrate Prateek Jain said in a self-made video.

Jain further appealed to all locals residing near water bodies to shift to safer places, further stating that the water level of the river was being constantly monitored and weather alerts would be issued from time to time.

"We are keeping a check on the rising water levels of the river here. We also appeal to residents to shift to safer places and be safe...All personnel, including the police, public work department and disaster management teams, have been asked to be on alert. We will be keeping a check on the weather, and will let the public know when the Kedarnath Yatra will resume," Jain further added.

The Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located at an altitude of over 11,000 feet in the Himalayas and holds immense religious significance. The Kedarnath Yatra doors for the year 2025 were opened for devotees on May 2.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Good decision to declare holidays for schools. Children's safety should always come first. Hope the administration continues monitoring the situation closely.
A
Arjun K
The Kedarnath Yatra suspension is unfortunate but necessary. We saw what happened in 2013. Better safe than sorry. Jai Bholenath! 🙏
S
Sarah B
As someone who visited Pithoragarh last month, I'm shocked but not surprised. The roads were already in poor condition before these landslides. Need sustainable tourism policies.
V
Vikram M
While the alert system is good, why don't we have permanent solutions? Proper drainage, retaining walls, and controlled blasting during road construction could prevent this.
K
Kavya N
My heart goes out to the villagers who rely on these rural roads. They're completely cut off now. Administration should arrange helicopters for emergency supplies if needed.
M
Michael C
Respectfully, I think the government is being reactive rather than proactive. We know monsoon patterns by now - why aren't pre-monsoon preparations more robust?

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