Dehradun, Mar 14 (IANS): Moderate to heavy rains continued in many hill tracts of the state, leading to drop of temperatures on Monday.

The regional Met office said the rains would continue and in some parts hail storm and snowfall may also occur.

Following the rains over the past 24-hours, a landslide occurred at the Badrinath Highway, which blocked traffic between Peepalkoti and Joshimath. Power cuts were reported from many parts of the state.

Rains have brought down the temperature considerably in Tungnath, Madmaheshwar, Neelkanth Kamet, Nanda Devi, Dodital, Dhara Bugyaal, Hemkund saheb, Badrinath, Yamunotri, Gangotri and the Kedarnath.

Following heavy rains in the hilly regions and changes weather, the defence ministry has informed the state government of a possible avalanche.

The state government has alerted district administrations of Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi and Chamoli.

Chief Secretary Shatrughan Singh on Sunday held a meeting to take stock of the preparedness of the government machinery in wake of the avalanche alert.