In hours-long op, NDRF rescues 10 people trapped in reservoir in Himachal

Amid the rain fury, around 10 people who were trapped in a reservoir in Himachal Pradesh since Sunday evening, have been rescued in the wee hours of this morning (August 21).

10 people rescued in Kol Dam reservoir 

According to the officials, their boat got stuck in Mandi’s Kol Dam reservoir due to a rise in water levels following incessant rains.

The rescue operation has been initiated, the officials said, adding that five of them stuck in the reservoir are forest department employees.

Moreover, a team from National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) immediately rushed to the spot after locals informed the police about the incident.

Briefing about the situation, Mandi Deputy Commissioner, Arindam Chaudhary said, “The situation is not life-threatening and the trapped people would be rescued soon.”

Himachal is ‘natural calamity-affected area’

In the rain havoc, over 330 people have lost their lives in the rain-related incidents in Himachal Pradesh, while 38 people are still missing, said the state emergency operation centre.

Incessant rain has led to landslides, cloudbursts, and flash floods, causing significant damage in the State. Taking notes from the situation, The Himachal Pradesh government has declared the whole state as a ‘natural calamity affected area’.

Since June 24, the total monetary loss in the hill state has reached ₹8,014.61 crore.

The India Meteorological Department has issued an ‘orange alert’ for the next couple of days. “Himachal Pradesh is under an Orange Alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall with estimates ranging from 115.6 to 204.4 mm on 22nd, 23rd & 24th August,” said the weather office.