Uttarakhand is preparing for hazardous weather on 26–27 September, with a red alert warning of heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar and Pauri districts. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has instructed officials to maintain round-the-clock readiness and ensure that emergency arrangements are operational before conditions worsen.

Dhami spoke with Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman and asked departments and districts covered by the warning to take precautionary measures. He also called for continuous monitoring in vulnerable locations and advance preparation for relief and rescue operations.

Emergency systems placed on alert

The Chief Minister directed district emergency operation centres to remain active. Weather warnings must reach local communities without delay, allowing authorities to respond quickly if rainfall triggers an emergency.

Officials have also been told to stay fully prepared for any emergency and maintain a high level of vigilance across departments. The instructions include ensuring an effective response whenever a disaster or other urgent situation develops.

The Meteorological Centre in Dehradun has issued the red alert for Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar and Pauri. Some locations in these districts may receive heavy to very heavy rain, while isolated areas could experience extremely heavy rainfall.

9 other districts have received yellow alerts. These areas may see thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds. Information provided by Additional District Magistrate Vaibhav Gupta said Nainital, Champawat, Pithoragarh and Udham Singh Nagar had a yellow alert for heavy rain on 25 September.

Gusts in the yellow-alert areas could reach 40 to 50 kilometres per hour along with thunderstorms and lightning. In the red-alert districts, winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour are expected on 27 September.

Haridwar administration issues public advisory

District Magistrate Mayur Dixit has appealed to residents to remain cautious during the period of bad weather. People have been asked to avoid unnecessary travel towards rivers, streams and other vulnerable locations.

Dixit has instructed officials to keep disaster-management services ready and ensure immediate action if an incident occurs. Departments have also been asked to pass information to the district emergency operation centre promptly so assistance can be arranged without delay.

Residents and officials in Haridwar can report any disaster or emergency to the district emergency operation centre. The available contact numbers are 01334-223999, 1077 (toll free), 7055258800 and 9528250926.

The advisory is particularly relevant for people near watercourses and areas identified as vulnerable. Authorities have asked officials to keep sending timely information to the emergency centre, which is intended to support a faster response during an emergency.

What residents should note

The forecast combines the highest-level red warning in 4 districts with yellow alerts elsewhere. Residents should follow official weather updates, avoid vulnerable locations during severe conditions and report emergencies through the listed district channels.

Conclusion

Officials across the alert areas have been directed to remain ready for heavy rain, lightning, strong winds and possible emergencies, while residents have been urged to stay cautious and use the designated emergency contacts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Which Uttarakhand districts have received the red alert?

Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar and Pauri are under the red alert for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.

Q. What weather conditions are expected in the red-alert districts?

Some places may receive heavy to very heavy rain, while isolated locations could experience extremely heavy rainfall.

Q. What does the yellow alert cover?

9 other districts have a yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning and strong winds. Nainital, Champawat, Pithoragarh and Udham Singh Nagar had a yellow alert for heavy rain on 25 September.

Q. What wind speeds are forecast?

Gusts of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour are possible in yellow-alert areas. Winds of 30 to 40 kilometres per hour are expected in red-alert districts on 27 September.

Q. What has the Chief Minister instructed officials to do?

Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered officials to remain alert for 24 hours, monitor vulnerable areas and keep relief and rescue preparations ready.

Q. Which emergency numbers are available in Haridwar?

Residents can contact 01334-223999, 1077 (toll free), 7055258800 or 9528250926 for disaster or emergency information.