Dehra Dun, Jul 15 (IANS): Heavy rains across Uttarakhand on Monday continued to affect normal life and led to an 'orange' alert - the second-highest category of weather warning - being issued across the hill state.
The rain led to landslides at various places, including the Gangotri Highway, while two houses collapsed in Chamoli district, but no injuries were reported as luckily the houses were then empty.
While the India Meteorological Department has advised people not to travel to higher reaches of the state, the State Disaster Response Force has been put on a 24-hour alert on the 'Char Dham' Highway, and 30 teams set up at 63 points.
They are also coordinating with the district administration, police and the Disaster Management Control Room, so they be deployed as soon as possible in any emergency.
The Char Dham Highway has been hit by the monsoon, with the roads being blocked by rain and the landslides, surface subsidence, cuts and overflowing rivers.
Inspector General, SDRF, Sanjay Gunjyal said that their teams were placed on alert following the IMD warning, and if needed, they would set up camps at safer places near sensitive areas.
The state Disaster Management Department has also issued guidelines to all districts in view of the IMD warning.
In Chamoli, apart from the cases of house collapse in Malla-Kanda village, two cow sheds also collapsed, while in Peepalkoti area, rubble-strewn water entered the houses of panchayat members, creating panic.
The Rishikesh-Gangotri highway remained blocked due to a landslide in Tehri district's Tachla area.
In Haldwani, the gateway to the Kumaon region, incessant rain led to the irrigation channels and the drains getting choked, leading to the mud and slush overflow onto the roads and into houses.
No respite seems in sight as the IMD has predicted heavy rains in most parts of the state. In Haridwar, the district administration has ordered all government and private schools and colleges to remain shut following warnings of heavy rains in the area in the 24 hours.