Centre rushes NDRF teams to Uttarakhand; Rajnath speaks to CM

New Delhi, Jul 1: Centre today rushed rescue teams of National Disaster Response Force to Uttarakhand, which has been hit by torrential rains and landslides, and assured the hill state of all necessary help.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Chief Minister Harish Rawat on phone and took stock of the situation arising out of the cloudburst and heavy rains in Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts. Singh assured Rawat of all possible assistance to deal with the situation.

"NDRF teams have been rushed to the areas affected by cloudburst in Uttarakhand. Additional teams of NDRF are also put on alert," Singh said.

The Home Minister also expressed his deep pain at loss of lives and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. At least 12 people have been killed and 25 others were missing as torrential rains and landslides hit Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts in the wee hours today.

PTI