The Uttarakhand State Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for seven districts in the state, warning of light to moderate rain, hailstorm, thunder, and lightning for three days from February 28 to March 2. The affected districts include Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Dehradun, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh.
The Meteorological Department has also predicted the possibility of light rain in some places in the rest of the districts, along with the possibility of lightning and hailstorm with thunder in the aforementioned districts.
According to an official notice from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), dry weather is likely to prevail in the remaining districts of Uttarakhand. However, very light to light rain is expected to occur at isolated places in these districts. Snowfall is also likely to occur at places with a height of 3500 meters and above.
The yellow alert has been issued due to the approaching Western Disturbance, which is expected to bring the above-mentioned weather conditions to the region. The Western Disturbance is a low-pressure system that originates from the Mediterranean Sea and moves across Central Asia and Afghanistan, bringing rain and snow to the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent.
In light of the yellow alert, the authorities have advised people to take necessary precautions and stay indoors as much as possible. Farmers have also been advised to take care of their crops and livestock.