Mussoorie, Sept. 11 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) Dehradun centre has issued a yellow alert for Uttarakhand over the next four days. On Thursday, thunderstorms with lightning and intense spells of rain are likely in hilly districts and Udham Singh Nagar. Heavy rain is forecast for Dehradun, Uttarkashi, Pauri, Nainital, Champawat, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh on Friday, followed by intense spells in Dehradun, Pauri, Nainital, Tehri, Bageshwar, and Pithoragarh on Saturday. By Sunday, the IMD has warned of heavy to very heavy rain in Dehradun, Bageshwar, and Nainital. Authorities have urged residents and pilgrims to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary travel in affected areas. Meanwhile, pilgrimage to the Gangotri shrine has resumed while Yamunotri yatra is expected to resume by September 12, officials said. Uttarkashi district magistrate Prashant Arya said pilgrims are being allowed to travel to Gangotri Dhami in limited numbers due to the fragile condition of the highway. "We have identified stretches at Dharasu, Nalupani, Helgugad, and Dabrani as sensitive spots where landslides occur intermittently. To ensure safety, adequate machinery and teams have been deployed to clear debris and boulders whenever they block the road," Arya said. On Tuesday, 84 pilgrims reached Uttarkashi with the help of district administration teams deployed at the various bottlenecks on the route, said Arya. The Yamunotri National Highway remains shut at multiple points, with severe damage reported near Jangal Chatti (150 metres washed out), Banas (40 metres), and Phoolchatti. Restoration work is being undertaken by the National Highways Authority of India, with a target to make the route operational by September 12, Arya added. IMD recorded just 1.2 mm of rain across the state in the past 24 hours till 8.30 am Wednesday, an 81% shortfall compared to the normal 6.3 mm. While many districts recorded negligible rainfall, pockets of heavy showers were reported....