India Meteorological Department (IMD) on October 17 issued red alert for heavy rain in Uttarakhand on October 18 and an Orange alert for October 17-19. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami urged devotees undertaking Char Dham Yatra to postpone yatra by 1-2 days in wake of heavy rain alert for 18-19 October. He said, “All arrangements made, alerts issued. I've spoken with Chief Secretary and all DMs-SSPs. We –minister and officers- will meet again at 5:30 pm today”.