Heavy rain in the upper reaches of Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts has caused the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers, along with several of their tributaries, to swell. Officials said on Saturday that the rivers continue to witness a steady rise in water levels.
The Alaknanda River was flowing at 623.10 metres above sea level. Officials said the water level has been increasing because of continuous rainfall, but it is still below the danger mark.
As the rivers continue to rise, the Disaster Management Department and the district administration have been issuing continous alerts for people living near the riverbanks. Residents have been asked to remain cautious and stay away from vulnerable areas.
The administration has also issued an advisory for pilgrims and tourists, asking them not to venture near riverbeds and to follow safety instructions during their visit.
District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Nandan Singh Rajwar said on Thursday that officials were closely monitoring the river levels as rainfall in the upper Himalayan region continued to increase inflows.
"The water level in the region has reached 622 meters due to rainfall in the upper Himalayan areas. The warning level is 626 meters above sea level, and the dangerous level is 627 meters. When the water level approaches the warning level, alerts are sent out via WhatsApp groups, announcements are made using vehicles, and personnel go to the ground to warn people," he said.
Earlier this week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Dehradun issued a heavy rainfall warning for Rudraprayag district until July 4. The district administration also appealed to residents to stay alert and take necessary precautions.
The weather office had issued an orange alert for Nainital, Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal and Udham Singh Nagar districts. These areas are likely to receive light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms.
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