Himachal rain update: 10 people stuck in boat at Kol Dam rescued

Officials reported on Monday that ten persons were rescued after being trapped in a boat at the Kol Dam reservoir in Himachal Pradesh due to a rapid rise in water levels caused by heavy rains last evening. According to officials, five of the total trapped victims were forest department employees.

The rescue activities have been carried out by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local administrative forces, according to Mandi Deputy Commissioner Arindam Chaudhary.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘yellow’ and a ‘orange’ caution for severe to very heavy rain in the hilly state from August 22 to August 24. The weather service also projected a moderate danger of flash floods in the catchment areas of Chamba and Mandi districts, as well as a wet spell lasting until August 26.

“Light to moderate precipitation likely to continue at few places in low and mid-hill districts of HP during next 48 hours. The rainfall activity in the State likely to increase in distribution and intensity from 21st August with precipitation in many parts of the State till 24th August.

“Possibility of isolated spells of heavy rainfall in the districts of Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Una, Solan, and Sirmaur during 21st to 23rd August. Thunderstorm/lightning is likely to occur at few places in the State during the period,” read an IMD bulletin.