30 killed, several missing in torrential rains in Uttarakhand

Several major rivers are flowing above the danger level mark, NDRF teams have been rushed to the affected areas

Thirty persons were killed and several others were missing as torrential rains and landslides hit Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts in the wee hours today, burying villages in sludge with many residents trapped under the debris.

According to a Times of India report, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to chief minister Harish Rawat on phone and took stock of the situation arising out of the cloudburst and heavy rains in Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts.

Singh assured Rawat 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 eight persons were killed in cloudburst in Pithoragarh district, four lives were claimed by heavy rains in Chamoli district.

Two persons were swept away by the muddy waters and debris rushing down the slopes into Siron village in Chamoli.

One person was killed in Ghat block and another in Sithel village in similar circumstances, SDM Chamoli S K Barnwal said, adding eight persons trapped in the debris have been rescued in the district so far.

The cloudburst in Singhali area of Pithorgarh district early this morning brought over 100 mm rains in two hours in a region of 50 sq km, flattening homes in over seven villages, according to officials.

"We have recovered five bodiesfrom Singhali area while threebodies have been recovered from Thal village. The searchfor others is on by rescue partiesconsisting of armyand paramilitary personnel," Pithoragarh District Magistrate H C Semwal said.

A scene after a cloudburst hit Singhali area near Pithoragarh. Photo: PTI

"25 persons, missing from over seven villages of Singhali area in Didiihat sub division of Pithoragarh district, are being traced with the help of ITBP, SSB andPithoragarh district police," said district disaster management officer R S Rana who was on the spot.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat, who is is Delhi, expressed grief at the loss of lives and announced a compensation of Rs two lakh each to the families of the victims.

"Many people are still trapped under tonnes of debris brought by the heavy rains. ITBP, SDRF and paramilitary personnel are involved in rescue work," he said.

"I am personally monitoring the situation from here. Chief Secretary too is keeping tab...We will give them (kin of victims) immediate compensation of Rs two lakh as per norms," he said in Delhi.

According todisaster management office sources, the cloudburst occurred in the villages of Singhali, Patthakot, Ogla andThal villages which are under heavydebris with many people feared trapped under it.

The rescuers are trying their best tolocate the people, Rana said.

The MeT department in Dehradun hadyesterday warned of heavy rains in isolated places in Uttarakhand especially Nainital, Udhamsingh Nagar and Champawat districts over the next 72 hoursstarting this morning.

Light to moderate rains are also likely to occur at most places during the period, it had said.