PM to conduct aerial survey of flood-hit Uttarakhand; toll rises to over 100

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will conduct an aerial survey of flood and landslide affected areas of Uttarakhand this afternoon.

Dr. Singh, who spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna last evening, assured all assistance in rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit state.

The Prime Minister has also directed all agencies of the Union Government to assist in rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas of the state.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the flood and landslide triggered by heavy monsoon rain in Uttarakhand has risen to 102. Rudraprayag district was the worst hit with 20 people dead and 73 buildings swept away in the swirling waters of river Alaknanda.

Over 71,000 pilgrims of Char dham Yatra are stranded in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts and the yatra has been suspended due to massive landslides and damage to the road network.

Two additional teams of National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) have reached Kedarnath on Tuesday and have started relief and rescue operations and 72 persons have been rescued. One team of NDRF is in Sangla and the other team is on way to Po to assist the district administration in relief work.

On the request of state government and directions of the Defence Ministry, helicopters have been made available and 50 pilgrims have been rescued from Kedarnath and brought to Gupt Kashi.