Heavy Rain Alert Issued In Himachal Pradesh After 10 People Rescued From Kol Dam

Officials reported on Monday that ten individuals who were stranded in a boat at the Kol Dam reservoir in Himachal Pradesh due to a sudden rise in water levels caused by incessant rainfall last evening have been successfully rescued. Among the trapped individuals, five were employees of the forest department, according to officials.

Mandi's Deputy Commissioner, Arindam Chaudhary, stated that both the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local administrative teams conducted the rescue operations.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a 'yellow' alert for Monday and an 'orange' alert for heavy to very heavy rain from August 22 to August 24 in the hilly state. The weather department also cautioned about a moderate risk of flash floods in the catchment areas of Chamba and Mandi districts, predicting a wet spell until August 26.

An IMD bulletin stated, "Light to moderate precipitation is likely to continue at a few places in low and mid-hill districts of HP during the next 48 hours. Rainfall activity in the state is likely to increase in distribution and intensity from August 21, with precipitation expected in many parts of the state until August 24. There is a possibility of isolated spells of heavy rainfall in the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Una, Solan, and Sirmaur from August 21 to 23. Thunderstorm/lightning is likely to occur at a few places in the state during this period."

The ongoing monsoon has triggered extensive landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods, resulting in significant damage to the state. Reports indicate that over 200 individuals have lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Himachal. This monsoon season has witnessed a total of 2,022 fully damaged houses and 9,615 partially damaged houses, along with 113 landslides, according to ANI.

Amidst these challenges, the state government has declared the entire state as a 'natural calamity affected area'.