Rains lash Uttarakhand: 50 missing, 25 dead

High alert has been issued, the Char Dham Yatra has been suspended

The army was called in today for relief and rescue operations in Uttarakhand, after incessant rains, with cloud bursts and landslides over 48 hours, resulted in mayhem Uttarakhand.

A high alert has been issued and the Char Dham Yatra to pilgrimage centres Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri has been suspended, officials said.

A total of 50 are feared drowned in the swollen Mandakini at Rambara market area in Rudraprayag district last night. "There was a police message that 50 people were caught unaware at Rambara market area, where the river water suddenly gushed and washed away the area completely," said Inspector General (IG) R S Meena. Thereafter, there was no confirmation on the fate of these 50 with Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna saying casualties were heavy at Rambara.

In other parts of the hill state, 25 were killed in landslides, flash floods and house collapses, with the chief minister saying 35,000 pilgrims were stranded in the Char Dham tourist circuit.

Army and ITBP jawans are assisting the state police for relief and rescue operation as the situation continued to remain grim in most parts of the state. Hundreds of Badrinath pilgrims were rescued by the army from Govindghat area of Chamoli district this morning. An army statement here said further evacuation attempts have been hampered by extensive landslides. Food, medical aid and shelter have been provided to hundreds of pilgrims in the area, the statement said. Army has also sent a dozen reconnaissance parties to inaccessible areas for obtaining first hand information.

Most of the rivers including Ganga, Kosi and Kali were flowing above the danger mark. The chief minister, who cancelled his proposed foreign trip to London, said he was keeping a close watch on the situation and would soon travel to the affected areas. Scores of buildings including hotels and vehicles were washed away in various swollen rivers in the state.

A cloud burst also believed to have damaged some parts of Kedarnath shrine area with the state government trying to ascertain information regarding the damage. Rains have also broken 88 years old record in the state.