Uttarakhand, a beautiful state located in the northern part of India which is famous for the Himalayan view and religious importance is going through a bad weather situation in the state which has forced the authorities to release a red alert on several districts.

IMD has predicted very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in the region, which may lead to natural disasters and poses threat to the lives of the people living in the area as well as the tourists visiting the place.

The red alert has been sounded for the important districts for which the weather warning is at its peak including Dehradun, Pauri Garhwal, Bageshwar, Champawat, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar and Haridwar.

This alert means that it is highly probable that a severe weather condition that causes life threatening situations will occur. Therefore, tourists are being urged to avoid travelling to the region until the weather becomes favourable in Uttarakhand again.

The IMD’s forecast is based on identification of a large inland depression, which has advanced into North India and can be seen in the satellite images. This weather system is expected to produce rainfall of between 150 and 350mm in the next 48 hours from Friday night. Such an intense rainfall entails several dangers that incorporate flash floods, landslides and mudslides especially in the hilly part of the state.

Authorities are paying a lot of attention to the situation and have already put into force measures to guarantee the population and tourists’ safety. Low lying areas and areas prone to landslides are being prepared for evacuation in case of an eventuality. In the same way, rescue teams are also on standby in order to respond immediately to any calamities that the weather may bring.

For tourists already in Uttarakhand, measures have been put in place with very strict warning. They are being advised to keep off from the field, avoid any form of travel especially near the riverine areas or any part that may be near water sources that are likely to be flooded by the rising rainfall.

Arduous roads, famous tourist attractions and pilgrimage sites like Char Dham yatra circuits are likely to be affected and the tourists have been urged to obey the instructions of the authorities and follow all the precautionary measures.

This extreme weather event is not only a threat to human life and property safety, but also has broader effects. The heavey rains may cause major inconveniences in the transport systems with road networks being washed away, landslides blocking the major arteries, and even air and rail transport being disrupted. This could result in tourists being marooned and putting a lot of stress to those who want to vacate the areas.

The tourism sector which is one of the key sectors in Uttarakhand economy is preparing for these disruptions due to weather conditions. Most hotels and tour operators are trying to adapt to new circumstances and make sure that their clients will not get sick. Some are providing free cancellation options in order to give tourists a chance to change their trip without additional charges.

However, the emphasis is now placed on mitigating the existing threats, yet there are more profound concerns for the state’s tourism industry. The rising disasters due to natural calamities in the region make the society to question the sustainability of their structures and the need to put up better structures and disaster management systems. It also emphasises on sustainable tourism practices which respects the geographical environment of the Himalayan region.

Those who were planning to travel to Uttarakhand in the next coming days it is important to get update with the weather forecast. Information is being issued frequently by the IMD and other local bodies through social networks and websites. The public is urged to consult with their travel agents and the hotels they plan to book for the latest advisory.

While dealing with this severe weather situation the response of authorities and public will be determining factor in preventing the losses and the time taken in recovery in the state of Uttarakhand.

The current crisis is a good reminder of this and people should be very cautious when planning to visit the mountains. It also points to the fact of the importance of practicing sustainable tourism that will involve the conservation of the natural environment while at the same time creating value for the tourists.