New Delhi:
With the weather improving after days of torrential rainfall, rescue operations are in full swing in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Rainfall in Uttarakhand has been 450 per cent higher than normal. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and the Prime Minister will go on a two-hour survey of flood-affected areas in Uttarakhand in a helicopter today.
Here are the 10 latest developments:
Military helicopters are carrying out emergency food drops for thousands of people stranded by flash flooding from early monsoon rains which have killed at least 120 in northern India. (Here's how you can help)
22 helicopters have been pressed into service to rescue people stranded in areas around Kedarnath, Minister of State, Home, RPN Singh said today. Choppers are being used to air-drop supplies and air-lift pilgrims, tourists and residents in Uttarakhand and neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. 3000 people have been rescued by the Army and National Disaster Response Force(NDRF), RPN Singh added. (Pics: Army called in for relief)
25 people are reported dead in Himachal. Of the 102 people killed in Uttarakhand, 50 died near the famous Kedarnath temple. (See pics)
"The Kedarnath temple is submerged in mud and slush. We just hope that it does not collapse," said Jaspal Arya, the disaster relief minister of Uttarakhand, to news agency AFP. (Read: PM, Sonia Gandhi to visit Kedarnath today)
6,000 people are trapped in roads leading to the temple. Authorities, however, say there have been no reports of damage to the structure itself. (Read)
60,000 people are stuck elsewhere in Uttarkhand, many of them pilgrims who were heading to four religious sites or "Char Dham" in the state.
Officials in Uttarakhand said about 200 cars, two earth-moving equipment and even a parked helicopter had been swept away by floods.
On Tuesday, 250 people were rescued by air force helicopters from different parts of the state and many were moved to the relief camps. The Uttarakhand government has set up helplines: 0135-2716201, 2710925
The torrential rains began lashing the region on Saturday and local officials said 40 relief camps have been set up to provide food and water to locals and tourists. (Share your pics and videos here)
According to Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Subash Kumar 21 bridges have collapsed in the state. "We have lost access to several villages across the state."
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