At least 40 people were feared dead following a downpour that triggered flash floods and landslides in northern Indian Uttarakhand state over the weekend, a state official said cited by Reuters.
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In four villages of Chamoli district, six people have been killed, while three others are missing.
The cloudburst brought over 100 mm rains in two hours in a region of 50 square kilometer, affecting several villages.
Union home minister Rajnath Singh spoke to chief minister Harish Rawat on the phone and took stock of the situation arising out of the cloudburst and heavy rains in Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts. “NDRF, SDRF, ITBP and the state police are working round- the-clock looking for any traces of life trapped under the debris”, the official said.
The administration however says that all the stranded people are safe and efforts are on to rescue them.
“I will be holding discussions with district officials and other authorities today, but the situation is fine and there is no need to panic”, Rawat told ANI. He has also announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of each of the deceased.
“The rescuers are trying their best to locate and recover people, Rana said”.
According to weather officials, heavy rain may continue for nearly next two days. The communication network has been severely damaged at several places.
The public in Uttarakhand has been requested to remain alert and all the District Magistrates have been directed to make announcements and facilitate relocation of those living in vulnerable areas or in close proximity to rivers. India’s National Disaster Response Force has mobilized and is proceeding to the area. “In Chamoli, where another team has been sent, the roads are now blocked at 15 places”, said O.P. Singh, director general of the NDRF.
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However the search and rescue teams have not been able to reach to many areas due to the bad weather. So far, over 15 bodies have been recovered and almost 21 bodies are missing.
