Uttarakhand rains claim 30 lives

Updated: Sunday, July 3, 2016, 11:35 [IST]

Dehradun, July 3: Heavy rainfall and landslides triggered flash floods in many parts of Uttarakhand. On Sunday, July 3, the death toll due to heavy rains climbed to 30. Five intelligence officials are said to be missing in Uttarakhand.

Several Teams of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Army, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), State disaster management department, the local administration, the police, and teams of the revenue department continued the relief and rescue operations in the disaster-affected areas in Pithoragarh and Chamoli.

The water level of major rivers in the state have reached above danger mark levels.

Dehradun Metrological Department issued warning of heavy to very heavy rainfall in next 48 hours.

Extreme rainfall could occur at isolated places in Nainital, Champawat, Usham Singh Nagar, Almora, Pauri, Haridwar, Tehri and Dehradun districts.

Meanwhile, Border roads organisation is clearing the Gangotri highway road which was closed due to a landslide.

The government official provided a government school building as a temporary shelter for the affected families.Due to rains, water, electricity and transportation facilities are heavily affected in the flood-hit state.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat said "Work is underway for roads that've been blocked due to landslides,will be cleared soon.

Rishikesh-Badrinath NH-58 which is blocked due to heavy rains and landslide, being cleared in Joshimath, Rawat said."

As per report of the State disaster management department, on Saturday, July 2 evening, 12 bodies had been recovered, while 15 persons remained missing. Of the 13 persons who were injured, three are critical.