mandi-residents-advised-caution-as-beas-swells

Heavy rainfall in the Mandi and Kullu districts over the past 24 hours has significantly increased water levels in River Beas, leading to concerns of flooding. The surge in water levels has prompted the local authorities to safety advisory that urges residents and tourists to avoid the river’s banks and low-lying areas close by.

Deputy Commissioner, Mandi, Apoorv Devgan, said, “Due to rainfall and rise in river levels, people are strictly advised not to venture near riverbanks for their own safety. We have deployed teams to monitor the situation and announcements are being made in vulnerable areas to alert the public.”

Himachal Pradesh has been receiving yellow and orange alerts by the India Meteorological Institute (IMD) after persistent rains in the upper reaches of Kullu and Mandi that led to increased inflow in the Beas and its tributaries.

The district’s disaster management authority is on high alert and closely monitoring the situation, it said. 

There have also been placed warning signboards along key stretches of the river for public awareness. The authorities have directed the police and home guard personnel to patrol riverbank areas to prevent any mishaps.

Visitors, especially, have been advised caution since they are usually unaware about the local weather patterns and dangers, often camping near rivers during the summer holidays. The administration has also appealed to hotels and travel agencies to inform their guests about weather-related risk and follow all safety protocols.

The monsoon has gathered momentum in the north of India, thereby increasing the possibility of landslides and flash floods in the state. The local administration has put emergency response teams on alert and is prepared to carry out evacuation operations, if necessary, it said.

Official channels are ensuring that alerts are issued to residents and visitors to update them of all important developments. They have also been advised to not believe in or spread rumours related to the weather or river conditions that may result in panic.