Severe heavy rains battered Uttarakhand on Wednesday, triggering landslides that blocked 71 roads, killed a woman in Pithoragarh district, and created a 600-metre-long artificial lake on the Ramganga River.The deceased, Saraswati Devi, died after rocks dislodged from a hillside, causing her to fall into a gorge.Debris from the hillside slid into the river following torrential rain on July 4, with impounded water threatening villages like Bhaiskot.Authorities warned of flash flood risks and advised against venturing near the lake’s edge.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued orange alerts for heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across several districts, including Dehradun, Tehri, and Nainital.Rainfall figures showed significant excess in some areas, while others faced deficits.Landslides also blocked roads in Tehri district, requiring debris removal efforts.River levels remained below warning marks, but officials urged caution as further rain could cause disruptions.