Five killed in Uttarakhand landslide, heavy rain alert sounded

Lucknow/Dehradun: Five people were killed in a landslide in Uttarakhand and the meteorological department Monday warned of another round of incessant downpour within 48 hours.Heavy rain pounded the state 10 days back.[caption id="attachment_1637987" align="alignleft" width="380"] Representational image. AFP[/caption]The rain alert has been sounded for most areas of the state, including Nainital, Chamoli, Champawat, Uttarkashi and the state capital Dehradun.Following the warning, disaster management teams have been asked to be on standby. Officials have been asked to be "extra vigilant" in areas adjacent to rivers, many of which are in spate owing to the heavy rain that lashed the state July 16-17.A massive landslide in Pangla of the Dharchula area Sunday killed five of a family. The landslide was triggered by heavy rain in the region since Saturday night.The condition of three others, who were trapped in the mud after the landslide, continues to be critical at a medical facility in Dharchula, a district official informed IANS.Chief Minister Harish Rawat, the official said, was monitoring the situation personally and has ordered ex-gratia payment for the families of those killed in the landslide.