Uttarakhand faces hottest March-April months in decades

In Uttarakhand, for the first time in 30 years, dry spell in March and April compounded heat woes for the people in the state. This year the month of March was almost dry. In March, the state received only 2.2 mm of rain, which is 96 per cent less than the normal rainfall.

Similarly, in April also, only 5.6 mm of rain has been received till the 26th, which is 80 percent less than the normal rainfall. Both these months received 7.8 mm of rain, which is 91 per cent less than the normal rainfall. According to the Director of the Meteorological Center Bikram Singh, earlier in March, there was such a situation in 2004, but then it had rained in April.

In April, there was less rainfall in 2005 by 88 per cent, in 1999 by 91 per cent and in 1992 by 88 per cent, but in these years, the rainfall in the month of March was good. It has never happened in the last 30 years that both March and April have been dry.

Alert to prevent fire incidents

The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert till April 29 regarding the heat. The temperature is likely to remain very high above normal during these days. The Meteorological Department has issued a warning regarding the rapid spread of forest fires in the mountainous areas, fire incidents in the plains as well.

Red alert issued

Issuing a red alert of heat, the Meteorological Department has advised to make arrangements to prevent the spread of forest fire, activate the disaster relief system, keep the farmers safe and irrigate the crop, do not move in the avalanche affected areas.