20 dead in cloudburst in Uttarakhand

"At least 20 to 25 people are still missing and so far 20 bodies have been recovered," said Rudraprayag District Magistrate Neeraj Kherwal.

Most of the people died in sleep as the natural calamity flattened homes in the wee hours. As the calamity struck the region, the authorities launched rescue and relief operations with the help of the army and ITBP personnel, Kherwal said.

Incessant rains since yesterday followed by a cloudburst in the wee hours today have left a trail of destruction in Timada, Sansari, Giriya, Chunni and Mangali villages in the district, Disaster Management and Mitigation Centre officials here said.

Communication and power lines are disrupted and traffic along several roads, including national highways in the area is affected, they said.

Rishikesh-Badrinath and Rishikesh-Gangotri highways have been closed due to landslips triggered by incessant rains, they said.

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna expressed shock over the death of so many people in the tragedy. He has asked the District Magistrate to take up relief and rescue operations on a war footing in the affected area.