Uttarakhand sounds alert as heavy snowfall warning looms large

District magistrates, especially in Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Chamoli & Dehradun, are asked to be alert

The Uttarakhand government, on Wednesday, issued a high alert of disturbed weather conditions of heavy snowfall and rain.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat asked all the district magistrates (DMs), especially in Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Pithoragarh and Dehradun, to remain alert in view of the warning issued by the Meteorological office. The state disaster management department and the police have been asked to remain on high alert.

However, there was no report of any disaster hitting the state during the past 24 hours.

Nearly 200-300 odd workers who had been engaged in the reconstruction works at the flood-battered Kedarnath are safe. "We have asked all the workers to remain in the safe zones due to heavy snowfall in Kedarnath area," said Raghav Langer, district magistrate, Rudraprayag. After airlifting heavy equipments to Kedarnath early last month, the government is facing an uphill task to speed up the reconstruction activities at the high-altitude shrine area in view of the heavy snowfall during the entire winter season.

Langer said he had issued a warning of heavy snowfall at high altitude area above 3,500 metres and heavy rainfall in all areas below 3,500 metres.

Chief Secretary N Ravishanker said the government has issued a warning of heavy rainfall from 0900 hours on Wednesday for the next 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the hill state is experiencing heavy snowfall and rainfall since early morning. Dehradun is also witnessing rains since the morning.

Nearly 5,000 people, mostly pilgrims, were killed in the 2013 deluge that hit Kedarnath and other areas of the hill state.
PREPARATIONS

• Uttarakhand CM asks all district magistrates in the state to remain alert
• Met office has issued warning of heavy snowfall
• About 200 to 300-odd workers, engaged in reconstruction works at the flood-battered Kedarnath, are safe