At least 30 people were killed and five intelligence officials went missing when heavy rains triggered landslides and flashfloods in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts.
While, several people were buried in sleep, when a landslide hit West Kameng district of the northeastern state.
"As many as 25 people have been trapped in the debris following landslides in Bastia village of Kanalichhina block in Pithoragarh district. Bodies of 13 persons have been recovered by the district administration team with the help of local people," a police official said.
The Dehradun Meteorological Centre has issued an alert for heavy rainfall for 72 hours. Dehradun Meteorological Centre Director Bikram Singh said that, “We have issued a warning for areas in Dehradun, Almora, Nainital, Haridwar, Pauri, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar district since there is possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall over 72 hours (starting Friday morning).”
Additional Secretary (Disaster Management) C. Ravishankar said that, teams of the NDRF, the State Disaster Response Force, the ITBP, the State Disaster Management Department, the Sashastra Seema Bal, and the Revenue Department were sent to the affected areas in Pithoragarh and Chamoli to undertake rescue and relief operations.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat expressed his grief and said that, "We are saddened by the news of the deaths. A compensation of Rs two lakh has been announced for the kin of each of the deceased."
Meanwhile, Home Minister Singh spoke to CM Rawat and took stock of the situation.
"Spoke to CM U'khand Shri Harish Rawat regarding the situation post the cloud burst in the state. Centre is providing all possible assistance," Singh tweeted.
"I am deeply pained at loss of precious lives in Uttarakhand due to flash floods. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," he said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives caused by cloudburst and heavy rain in Uttarakhand. “I am grieved by the loss of lives caused due to cloudburst and heavy rain in parts of Uttarakhand. Condolences to bereaved families," Modi said in a statement.
"My prayers are with those injured. I hope normalcy returns to the rain-affected areas at the earliest,” the Prime Minister said.
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