Heavy rain alert in Uttarakhand, five dead in landslide

Dehradun, July 28: Ten days after heavy rains pounded

, the meteorological department on Monday warned of another round of incessant heavy rains in the state in 48-hours while five people were found

due to

.

The rain alert has been sounded for most areas of the state including Nainital, Chamoli, Champawat, Uttarkashi and the state capital Dehradun.

Following the warning, disaster management teams have been asked to be on standby. Officials have been asked to be "extra vigilant" in areas adjacent to the rivers, many of whom are in spate owing to the rains that lashed the state July 16-17.

A massive landslide in Pangla of the Dharchula area on Sunday killed five of a family. The landslide was triggered by heavy rains in the region since Saturday night.

Condition of three others, trapped in the mud after the landslide, continues to be critical at a medical facility in Dharchula, a district official informed IANS.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat, the official said, was monitoring the situation personally and has ordered ex-gratia for the families of those killed in the landslide.

IANS