The India Meteorological Department has forecast unsettled weather across Uttarakhand till January 31.

Light rain or snowfall is likely on January 29 and 30 at places located above 2,800 metres in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, and Pithoragarh districts. Similar conditions are expected on January 31 in high-altitude areas of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh.

The department has issued a weather warning for both hill and plain regions, cautioning that over the next 24–48 hours, several districts may witness heavy rain or snowfall, lightning, hailstorms, and strong winds.

The District Tourism Department of Pithoragarh, in collaboration with Starscapes Experiences Pvt. Ltd., has inaugurated the region’s first dedicated astro-tourism observatory. The initiative was inaugurated by Satpal Maharaj, Uttarakhand’s Tourism Minister, with the aim of promoting science-led, sustainable tourism and generating local employment through trained Astro Guides.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Ashish Kumar Bhatgain, District Magistrate of Pithoragarh; Kalpana Devlal, Mayor of Pithoragarh; and Kirti Chand Arya, District Tourism Development Officer.

As part of the initiative, Starscapes, India’s leading astro-tourism company, has trained local youth as Astro Guides to conduct guided stargazing sessions and manage observatory operations, strengthening community participation in tourism. 

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday virtually flagged off helicopter services on the Pithoragarh–Munsyari route under the Centre’s UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme).

The services will operate twice daily, seven days a week, with fares fixed at ?2,500. Flights on the Pithoragarh–Munsyari route are scheduled at 10:30 am and 1:50 pm, improving connectivity in the hill regions. Check Uttarakhand Heli Booking - Char Dham helicopter Tours - Heli Tours in Uttarakhand

A yellow alert for heavy rain has been issued by the Uttarakhand Meteorological Center in Tehri, Rudraprayag, Almora, Pauri, Champawat, Pithoragarh, Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar.

The India Meteorological Department has declared a heavy rain alert for Nainital, Bageshwar, and parts of Uttarakhand, predicting storms with strong winds as the monsoon nears. Humid heat persists in the plains, while sporadic rainfall continues in hilly regions such as Dehradun, Tehri, and Almora.

The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for Uttarakhand, forecasting heavy rain, hailstorms, and snowfall over the next three days. Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar are expected to be severely affected, with isolated hail, thunder, and strong winds. District administrations are on high alert, and authorities have advised the public to avoid non-essential travel and adhere to safety guidelines.

Passengers and tourists can now travel by air between the border district of Pithoragarh and the cultural city of Almora, with a new helicopter service launched for the first time between the two districts. The flight, which takes only 20 minutes, offers a quick and convenient way to travel between Pithoragarh and Almora.

The helicopter service began on December 10, 2024, operating between Naini Saini Airport in Pithoragarh and Tatik Helipad in Almora. The 20-minute flight is priced at INR 2,625 per person.

The daily Pithoragarh-Almora-Pithoragarh route, also a part of the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) scheme, started at an affordable ticket price of Rs 2500 only.

The flights will operate twice daily. The first departs from Pithoragarh at 10:00 AM, with a return flight from Almora at 10:20 AM. The second flight leaves Pithoragarh at 1:40 PM, followed by the return from Almora at 2:05 PM. These services utilize 7-seater helicopters.

This tent-based homestay initiative in Pithoragarh aligns with the Vibrant Villages Program, aimed at rejuvenating rural communities. It seeks to attract tourists and provide new economic opportunities, encouraging residents to return to these border areas. The project promotes sustainable tourism, blending environmental care with cultural immersion, to boost local economies in remote regions.

The Uttarakhand tourist department is organizing a six-day expedition for adventure bloggers to highlight tourism opportunities in three valleys of Dharchula tehsil in Pithoragarh, starting from Oct 16. Bloggers will travel through the hallowed Kailash Mansarovar Yatra route, across destinations including Askot, Jauljibi, Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary, Narayan Ashram, Om Parvat, Adi Kailash, and others.

The schedule of flights between Dehradun & Pithoragarh changes from today. Daily commercial flights from Pithoragarh started from 30 Jan 2024 with 18 seater plane operated by Flybig, flying from Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun to land at Naini Saini Aiport in Pithoragarh.

Direct flight cost between Dehradun and Pithoragarh : Approx. INR 4198/- to 6300/- (one sided) For Adults. Flight is operational only on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.

Adi Kailash is located in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, which is considered very sensitive from the disaster point of view during monsoons. In view of which the District Administration Pithoragarh has stopped the Adi Kailash Yatra till further orders. To reach here, the Tawaghat Lipulekh road has been built, which directly connects the China border, but there are many danger zones on this road, which can prove to be fatal many times during the rainy season.

Pithoragarh District Magistrate Reena Joshi said that incidents of landslides are seen a lot on the Tawaghat Lipulekh road during the rainy season. Keeping in view the safety of the travelers, the Adi Kailash Yatra has been stopped for the time being, she said that this journey will be started again soon.

Under the UDAAN Scheme, Uttarakhand Government has started Helicopter Services from Haldwani to Pithoragarh, Munsiyari & Champawat from 22 Feb 2024. Heli Services from Haldwani will be available from Gaulapar Helipad to Pithoragarh, Munsiyari & Champawat.

A seven seater helicopter will operated by Air Heritage fly 2 times a day from Haldwani to each destination. The ticket price for helicopter service from Haldwani will be INR 2500 per person for Champawat, INR 3000 for Pithoragarh and INR 3500 for Munsiyari. 

Helicopter Services between Haldwani and Pithoragarh, Munsiyari & Champawat