Dehradun/New Delhi: The Centre has rushed rescue teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) to Uttarakhand, which has been hit by torrential rains and landslides.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to CM Harish Rawat on phone and took stock of the situation arising out of the cloudburst and heavy rains. He also assured the hilly state of all possible assistance to deal with the situation.
"NDRF teams have been rushed to the areas affected by cloudburst in Uttarakhand. Additional teams of NDRF are also put on alert," Singh said while expressing his deep pain at loss of lives and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.
At least 30 people have been reportedly killed and many others are feared missing due to heavy rainfall and cloudburst in Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts of Uttarakhand on Friday. It is feared that more people are buried in the debris of the landslide caused by the heavy downpour in the region.
Officials said incessant rains since Thursday night have resulted in landslides at several places across the hilly state and a cloud burst in Pithoragarh inundated the entire region.
PM Modi prays for victims of cloudburst tragedy
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and hoped that normalcy would return to the state soon.
"I am grieved by the loss of lives caused due to cloudburst and heavy rain in parts of Uttarakhand. Condolences to bereaved families," Modi tweeted.
"My prayers are with those injured. I hope normalcy returns to the rain-affected areas at the earliest," Modi added.
Cloud burst has also been reported in Bastadi area, 50 km from Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh town. In Pithorgarh only, 5 dead bodies have been found and 25 others are missing.
"We have recovered five bodies from Singhali area while three bodies have been recovered from Thal village. The search for others is on by rescue parties consisting of army and paramilitary personnel," Pithoragarh district magistrate HC Semwal said.
The cloudburst brought over 100 mm rains in two hours in a region of 50 square kilometer, affecting several villages.
"25 persons, missing from over seven villages of Singhali area in Didiihat sub division of the district, are being traced with the help of ITBP, SSB and Pithoragarh district police," said RS Rana, the district disaster management officer who reached the spot soon after the disaster occurred.
According to disaster management office sources, the cloudburst occurred in the villages of Singhali, Patthakot, Ogla and Thal villages.
"The villages are buried under heavy debris and people are trapped. The rescuers are trying their best to locate and save them," Rana said.
In the last 24 hours, all major rivers in the state have swollen after receiving 54 mm rainfall.
MeT department predicts heavy rains in next 72 hrs
Meanwhile, Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway (NH-58) has also been blocked due to heavy rains and landslide near Devprayag.
The Thal-Munsyari road has been cut-off and dozens of vehicles remained stranded on both sides.
The Yamunotri highway, near Kharadi, has also been damaged leading to traffic being halted.
The MeT department has reportedly issued a warning of heavy rainfall in the isolated pockets in Uttarakhand, especially in the Nainital, Udhamsingh Nagar and Champawat districts over the next 72 hours.
