IMD Issues ‘Orange Alert’ In Uttarakhand Amid Chardham Yatra; Warns Of Rain, Hailstorms

The Indian Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Alert amid the Chardham yatra for several parts of Uttarakhand on Thursday, along with a warning of rain, hailstorms, and strong winds. As per the latest forecast, IMD predicted that isolated regions of all districts in the state may encounter thunderstorms with wind speeds ranging from 40-70 kilometres per hour.

Amid warnings of storms and hail, IMD has advised residents to stay vigilant and take safety measures. The department also projected that unsettled weather, including thunderstorms and rain, is expected to continue across much of the state for the next five days, potentially bringing a slight dip in temperatures and temporary relief from the heat.

From May 1 to 6, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (40–60 kmph) is likely over Jammu-Kashmir-Ladakh-Gilgit-Baltistan-Muzaffarabad, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Isolated hailstorms are forecast in Uttarakhand on May 1 and 3, with thundersqualls reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph on May 3.

Farmers In Sub-Himalayan Region Advised To Use Hail Nets, Caps

Farmers in regions including Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim, Bihar, Odisha, Uttarakhand, East Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and East Madhya Pradesh are advised to use hail nets and caps to protect crops and orchards from possible hail damage.

Amid the IMD alert, the doors of Kedarnath Dham are scheduled to open on May 2. The Panchmukhi Doli of Lord Kedarnath reached Shri Kedarnath Dham in Uttarakhand on Thursday, along with chants of ‘Jai Baba Kedar’ that echoed across the Kedar valley.

Following the development, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami shared in a post on X stating that the sacred procession from Gaurikund to Kedarnath highlights “reverence, faith, and devotion.”

“Today, after the ritualistic worship at Gaurikund, the Panchmukhi idol of Baba Kedarnath reached the holy Shri Kedar Dham. When the Doli reached the temple premises, there was an atmosphere of devotion among the devotees, the entire Dham echoed with the chanting of ‘Jai Baba Kedar’,” CM Dhami said in his post on X.

आज गौरीकुंड से विधिवत पूजा-अर्चना के पश्चात बाबा केदारनाथ की पंचमुखी चल विग्रह डोली पावन श्री केदारधाम पहुंची। हल्की वर्षा और भक्तों की श्रद्धा से परिपूर्ण वातावरण में जब डोली मंदिर परिसर में पहुंची, तो “जय बाबा केदार” के घोष से सम्पूर्ण धाम गूंज उठा।

“श्रद्धा, आस्था और भक्ति से… pic.twitter.com/klXmFWLf43

— Pushkar Singh Dhami (@pushkardhami) May 1, 2025

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