September 4, 2025

Uttarakhand has been drenched by heavy monsoon rains, with Kumaon district facing the worst downpours in the past 24 hours. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Nainital district recorded some of the fiercest showers. Haldwani received 116.6 mm, Chorgalia had 118 mm, and Nainital town got 114 mm rainfall. Other places like Mukteshwar (98.4 mm), Khatima in Udham Singh Nagar (92.5 mm), Betalghat (85 mm), Munsiyari (82.4 mm), and Pithoragarh (74.1 mm) were also drenched with heavy rain. Raging rivers add to the drama! The Gaula river in Haldwani crossed the danger mark by 20 cm. The Ganga’s water level was measured at 293.07 meters in Haridwar and 339.70 meters in Rishikesh — just below critical levels. Other rivers such as Alaknanda, Mandakini, Song, Banganga, and Gauriganga are flowing close to danger zones. With such wild weather, authorities have taken bold steps to keep everyone safe. Following an IMD forecast of very heavy rainfall, on September 1, schools from Class 1 to 12 and Anganwadi centres in Almora were ordered to shut. Similar closures were announced across Dehradun, Chamoli, Champawat, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Haridwar, Pauri, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, and Tehri districts where showers are relentless. Adding to the caution, the Char Dham Yatra has been stopped till September 5, ensuring pilgrims stay out of harm's way. September 5 is also a holiday for Eid al-Milad, but rain-related closures could continue through the month as the skies stay moody. Disaster management officials revealed the monsoon’s harsh toll—79 lives lost, 114 injured, and 95 people missing this year already. Landslides have repeatedly cut off many interior routes, while flooding has displaced families and disrupted vital services. As Uttarakhand's rivers swell and the rain shows no mercy, the state braces itself with safety measures, keeping children and residents as the highest priority. Will the skies ease soon? The people of Uttarakhand wait and watch, hoping for relief from this watery tempest.

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Tags: Uttarakhand rains, Heavy rainfall, Imd warnings, Floods, School closures, Monsoon 2024,