Widespread destruction in Uttarakhand: Bahuguna

Many kilometres of roads have been washed away in Uttarakhand due to nature's fury, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said Thursday while seeking funds to help the affected people.

The chief minister said many bridges, houses, water lines, canals, check dams, electricity lines, power houses and other public and private property had been severely damaged.

He said the Chardam pilgrimage, which includes the shrines at Kedarnath and Badrinath, had been severely hit.

He appealed to people and voluntary organisations to contribute to relief efforts in the wake of the devastation caused by heavy rains, landslides, cloud bursts and floods.

The government has put the death toll at about 150 but unofficial sources say many more could have been killed.