New Delhi, 27 September 2026: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Sunday issued a red colour warning for parts of Uttarakhand for very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, along with thunderstorms and lightning. In view of the adverse weather, authorities have suspended the Char Dham Yatra until conditions improve.
Scope of the warning
The IMD advisory covers a broad swathe of northern and central India. In addition to the red alert for Uttarakhand, the agency warned of heavy to very heavy rain over Himachal Pradesh and western Uttar Pradesh. Forecasts also indicate the likelihood of thunderstorms, lightning and heavy rain at isolated places across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh and Madhya Pradesh.
Thunderstorms and lightning were also expected over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad, Punjab and parts of central India. Coastal and island territories are affected as well, with similar weather predicted in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Andhra Pradesh. States in the eastern and northeastern sectors — including East Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura — were advised to be prepared for thunderstorm activity.
Operational impacts and precautionary advice
In light of the IMD warnings, district administrations in the affected hill and plain areas have been asked to keep disaster response teams on alert, monitor river and stream levels, and make evacuation plans ready where necessary. The suspension of the Char Dham Yatra reflects the heightened risk to pilgrims travelling on mountainous, landslide-prone routes.
- Pilgrims and tourists: Avoid travel to northeastern Uttarakhand and other hill districts until the red alert is lifted; follow directions from local administration and police.
- Commuters: Expect waterlogging, disruption to road and rail services in low-lying areas; plan journeys only if essential.
- Residents: Secure loose outdoor items, stay indoors during thunderstorms, and avoid standing under trees or near power lines.
The IMD issued time-bound warnings and categorised them by intensity. A red warning denotes an event with a significant threat to life and property and requires immediate action by authorities and the public. Yellow and orange advisories issued elsewhere indicate a watchful stance and preparedness measures.
Regional summary
| Region / State | Expected Weather | Warning Level |
|---|---|---|
| Uttarakhand | Very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall; thunderstorms & lightning | Red |
| Himachal Pradesh | Heavy to very heavy rainfall | Orange / Yellow (localized) |
| West Uttar Pradesh | Heavy to very heavy rainfall | Orange / Yellow |
| Delhi, Haryana, Chandigarh, Madhya Pradesh | Thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rain at isolated places | Yellow / Orange |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Telangana | Thunderstorms and heavy spells locally | Yellow |
Local administrations have been asked to monitor the situation closely and issue community alerts where required. Highway and mountain-pass authorities were directed to inspect slopes and ensure that rescue teams and heavy machinery are positioned for rapid deployment.
Advice for residents and travellers
Weather warnings from the IMD should be treated as actionable guidance. Residents in flood- and landslide-prone zones are advised to move to safer locations ahead of peak rainfall where possible. Those living close to rivers and streams should avoid staying in low-lying houses and should keep important documents and emergency kits ready.
Motorists should avoid driving through flooded stretches and maintain safe distance from moving water. Pilgrimage organisers and hoteliers in Uttarakhand should cooperate with district authorities on cancellation notices and facilitate the orderly movement of visitors to safer sites.
Further updates will be issued by the IMD and by local disaster management authorities as the situation unfolds. Citizens are advised to follow official channels and refrain from relying on unverified social media reports.
