Leh:
Frantic rescue efforts are underway in Leh and parts of Ladakh after Friday's devastating cloudburst that flattened villages and snapped power and communication links.
(Read: What's a cloudburst?)The Indian Air Force has so far rescued 90 foreigners from Zanskar valley. Remaining foreigners still stuck in Zanskar will be evacuated soon, sources say. Meanwhile, another 75 foreigners are stuck in Pang on the Leh-Manali highway.
According to latest estimates, over 150 people have died so far and around 200 people are still missing.
(In Pics: Flash floods in Leh)Army and ITBP personnel are working round the clock for rescue work, struggling through piles of slush and mud. They are focusing on cleaning the road which connects Karu to Leh. They are trying to create a bridge so that at least single lane traffic for light vehicles can resume, and other relief material can flow into this place.
The Leh runway has been cleaned up and flights are operating. Nine IAF planes have landed in the area to assist in rescue efforts. They brought relief material including 5,000 blankets, 75 tarpaulins and a team of nurses.
Special Indian Airlines, Jet Airways and Kingfisher are flights operating from Leh to Delhi to bring stranded tourists back.