Uttarakhand death toll over 550: CM Bahuguna

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on Friday said that over 550 people have died so far in the state after being pulverized by landslides, torrential rain and flash floods.

He also said that more than 50,000 people are still stranded.

The state government has warned that the death toll could rise dramatically as flood waters recede and rescue workers reach isolated areas.

Meanwhile, people from all walks of life and age groups across India gathered on Friday to offer prayers for victims of the devastating floods that have ravaged Uttarakhand.

School students in Patna, Bihar, held condolence meetings and lit candles in memory of those who have lost their lives in the floods and landslides over the past one-week.

They also prayed for the stranded victims.

Reportedly, more than 60,000 people are stranded in parts of the hilly province of Uttarakhand and they are waiting for rescue teams to reach them with all possible aid.

Thousands of people are still stuck in the temple town of Kedarnath, located in the upper reaches of Himalayas.

Thousands of houses have been swept away in the flash floods and authorities are using helicopters to evacuate people and drop essential food supplies.

"We are praying here because of the large scale floods that have devastated Uttarakhand. Hundreds of people have been killed in it. We prayed so that departed souls rest in peace," said Vanya, a school student at Patna.

Likewise, students gathered in large numbers at their respective schools in Jammu city.

They held a candlelight prayer meet despite the schools being closed for the summer vacations.

The children sang devotional hymns for the people affected by the floods.

"We have gathered at our school in spite of our vacation holidays. We are praying for the people who have died in Uttarakhand and we want that the people who are still stranded reach safer places as soon as possible," said Jasmine Kaur, a young school student in Jammu.

Prayers were also held by residents of Lucknow, capital of Uttar Pradesh, at a local Gurudwara.