New Delhi:
Monsoon rains wreaked fresh havoc in northern India leading to flash floods, cloudbursts and landslips as the toll climbed to 81. Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the two northern states, have been the worst affected. Thousands of people are stranded. 5000 Army troops are out on rescue missions in parts of Uttarakhand, UP and Haryana. 12 Air Force choppers - 10 in Uttarakhand and 2 in Himachal Pradesh - have been deployed.
Here are the 10 latest developments in the story:
73,000 people remain stuck in Uttarakhand, many of them pilgrims from other states who were headed to the four shrines or "Char Dham" that include Badrinath and Kedarnath. 6000 are stranded on the Harsil-Gangotri route where 15 landslides have taken place.
More than 50 people have died in the state. Another 60 are missing. 5 Army jawans have died in the rescue operations at Kedarnath.(In pics: Rain storms through north India)
Several policemen on duty in the state are missing. So far, only five of the 50 missing cops have been traced.
With roads washed away, 200 pilgrims were air-lifted from the Kedarnath shrine by rescue choppers today.
The water levels in the Ganga and its major tributaries have now receded and the rivers are flowing below danger mark. The high water levels had clogged roads and affected rescue operations.
Teams from the National Disaster Management Authority are camping in the pilgrimage town of Haridwar awaiting air-lift to the worst-affected districts, officials said.
Television footage has shown bridges, houses and other buildings crashing down and being washed away by the swirling waters. A swollen river is seen engulfing a giant statue of Lord Shiva in the city of Rishikesh on Monday. (Share your pictures and videos)
"The situation is very grim. The meteorological office has predicted that the rain will continue for another three days at least," said government official Amit Chandola.
In neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, authorities said 10 people have been killed in landslides and nearly 1,500 tourists are stranded in different parts. Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who stuck for more than 60 hours in Kinnaur, was air-lifted this morning along with a dozen other tourists, some of them sick or senior citizens. Kinnaur has seen its heaviest rain in 20 years.(Read: Himachal Chief Minister rescued after 60 hours)
In Delhi, the River Yamuna is flowing above the danger mark. People who live near the river are being evacuated in boats. The government said 20 camps have been set up to provide shelter and medical assistance. (Read)
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