DEHRADUN: Heavy rain lashed parts of Uttarakhand on Friday as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for the state, warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning over the next two days.Khatima witnessed torrential rain and dense cloud cover from the early hours of Friday, while the IMD forecast a generally cloudy sky with intermittent rain and thundershowers across the region.The weather department has also issued red and orange alerts for parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. It said at least 17 states, including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, are likely to receive moderate to heavy rainfall during the day.In Haridwar, Uttarakhand Police and the Fire Service rescued four people after a house collapsed near Vishnu Ghat Railway Station on Thursday. All those trapped under the debris, including a person with a disability, were safely rescued.Meanwhile, continuous rainfall in Rudraprayag district caused water levels in the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers to rise. However, officials said both rivers remain below the warning and danger levels. The district administration is closely monitoring the situation and has urged residents and pilgrims to stay away from rivers and streams and follow IMD advisories.According to official data, the Alaknanda River is flowing at 623.153 metres, below its warning level of 626 metres, while the Mandakini River at Rudraprayag stands at 622.230 metres, below its warning level of 625 metres. Water levels at Ganganagar and Gaurikund also remain below the danger marks.Jakholi recorded the highest rainfall in the district at 46 mm, followed by Ukhimath (23 mm) and Rudraprayag headquarters (20 mm). Temperatures in the district ranged between 24°C and 28°C as monsoon conditions persisted.
