DEHRADUN, July 2: The weather department today issued a pre-warning of impending inclement weather in parts of Uttarakhand from July 4.
The state government has drawn flak from various sections, including the media, over ignoring such a warning issued by state Met department before the June 15 rain onslaught that wreaked havoc in the state.
Today, Uttarakhand Meteorological department has flashed message to media noting that “This is a pre-warning for your kind information and planning.”
The message said there is an indication of increase in rainfall from July 4 onwards specially in Kumaon region and southern parts of Uttarakhand.
The system is being monitored and in case the signals continue to persist, and situation arises, heavy rainfall warning would be issued, in due course, it said.
The forecast is a cause of worry for the people of Pithoragarh district, where remote Darma, Sikhi, Milam and many other parts were still reeling under the impact of the Mid-June disaster.
The rescue and relief in these parts was already badly affected due to their inaccesibility and inclement weather. There were also reports that these parts were facing acute food shortage.
The inclement weather was bound to have an adverse effect on delivering relief material by choppers in such areas.
Earlier, when confronted with allegations of ignoring the June 14 warnings, state disaster minister Yashpal Arya and Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar had claimed that these were of “general nature” mainly addressed to farmers.
In any case, the ‘char dham’ pilgrimage has always been conducted during monsoon weather. The rains of this unprecedented nature were not expected, they had clarified.
However, Dr Anand Sharma, Director state Met department, has maintained that he had advised that the pilgrims should avoid undertaking the yatra and if they had reached hill areas, they should move to safer places. (UNI)
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