Continuous rain in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand has led to a rise in the water levels of the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers. As a result, the district administration has stepped up monitoring of the situation.
Officials said the Alaknanda's water level increased from 622 metres above sea level on Tuesday to 622.5 metres on Wednesday after steady rainfall. They warned that if the rain continues over the next few days, the water level in both rivers could rise further and move closer to the danger mark.
The District Disaster Control Room is keeping a close watch on the river levels. The administration has urged people living near riverbanks and Amarnath pilgrims to stay alert and avoid visiting rivers or other vulnerable locations unless absolutely necessary.
District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Nandan Singh Rajwar said on Thursday that officials are closely tracking the rising water level caused by rainfall in the upper Himalayan region.
"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.
On Wednesday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Dehradun issued a heavy rainfall alert for Rudraprayag for the next four days, until July 4. Following the forecast, the district administration asked residents to remain cautious.
As a precaution, people have been advised to stay away from rivers, streams, and landslide-prone areas until the weather improves. Officials have also appealed to residents to remain alert and follow all safety advisories issued by the administration during the ongoing spell of heavy rain.
The IMD has also issued an orange alert for Nainital, Dehradun, Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal and Udham Singh Nagar districts, forecasting light to moderate rain along with thunderstorms at isolated places.
Also read: Kedarnath helicopter services suspended amid bad weather
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