PM assures all help to flood-hit Uttarakhand

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday directed all central government agencies to assist in rescue and relief operations in flood-affected Uttarakhand and assured Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna of all help, a statement said.

"The prime minister has shared the anguish and distress of the flood-affected people of Uttarakhand who see their homes facing the ravages of floods. He has directed all agencies of the union government to assist in rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas of the state," said the statement.

The prime minister spoke to Bahuguna Tuesday evening and inquired about the flood situation in the state. He said that assistance was already being provided by the army and air force to rescue stranded people and to provide relief, the statement added.

Rains lashed Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh for the fourth consecutive day Tuesday, taking the toll up to 58 and leaving over 58,000 people stranded.

The met department forecast more rains over the next two days in north India.