Eightpersons were killed and 25 others were missing as a cloudburst hit Singhali area here early this morning, flattening homes in over seven villages and leaving many residents trapped in the debris.
"We have recovered five bodiesfrom Singhali area while threebodies have been recovered from Thal village. The searchfor others is on by rescue partiesconsisting of armyand paramilitary personnel," Pithoragarh District Magistrate H C Semwal said.
The cloudburst brought over 100 mm rains in two hours in a region of 50 sq km, affecting several villages.
"25 persons, missing fromover seven villages of Singhali area in Didiihat sub division of thedistrict, are being tracedwith the help of ITBP, SSB andPithoragarh district police," said RS Rana, the district disaster management officer who reached the spot soon after thedisaster occurred.
According todisaster management office sources, the cloudburst occurred in the villages of Singhali, Patthakot, Ogla andThal villages.
"The villages are buried under heavydebris andpeople are trapped. The rescuers are trying their best tolocate and save them," Rana said.
