Around 14 bodies were recovered on Saturday in villages across Uttarakhand that saw a cloudburst on Friday, followed by flashfloods and landslides, reported IANS. The death toll in Pithoragarh district has risen to nine. More people are feared to be dead in Chamoli and Pithoragarh.
Several teams of the State Disaster Response Force, para-military forces and Army rescue personnel have been sent to the state. However, a senior official of the disaster management team said rescue operations were hampered because of inclement weather and that many of these teams were stranded.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each of the families of the deceased. Both Rawat and Governor KK Paul conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre, more than 100 mm rain was recorded in two hours on Friday. Landslides occurred in areas including Dharchula, Didihat, Thal, Pithoragarh, Kanalicheena, Berinag, Gangolihat, Bangapani, Gannai Gangoli and Davetha. As many as 163 families in Naulna Gaun and Nachni in Thal subdivision have been affected, reported The Tribune.
The meteorological department has issued a warning in a number of districts in the state on Saturday, including Nainital, Udhamsingh Nagar and Champawat.
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