Sonia monitoring rescue operations in Himachal, Uttarakhand

Congress president Sonia Gandhi is monitoring the rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, a party statement said Thursday.

According to the statement, one of the biggest rescue operations in recent history has been mounted by the central and state governments, in which nearly 12,000 people have been rescued, and provided food, shelter and accommodation.

Nearly 5,000 people are still stranded, and every effort is being made to trace and rescue them.

"The entire operation is being monitored by the Congress president for the last two days," the statement issued by Congress general secretary Ajay Maken said.

"She has instructed the two chief ministers and party units to help in the rescue operations. State party units have been asked to collect relief material and send it to the affected areas. The Youth Congress has sent rescue material. Party workers at the national level and in states are being told to help in the rescue operation," the statement said.

Sonia Gandhi will be visiting relief camps and other affected areas soon, the statement added.