At least 34 people have died following days of heavy rains in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand, the state’s chief minister said, as rescuers continued work to free those stranded on Wednesday.
Aerial footage of the affected areas showed engorged rivers and villages partially submerged by floodwaters.
“There is huge loss due to the floods … the crops have been destroyed,” Pushkar Singh Dhami told Reuters partner ANI after surveying the damage late on Tuesday.
“The locals are facing a lot of problems, the roads are waterlogged, bridges have been washed away. So far 34 people have died and we are trying to normalize the situation as soon as possible.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet he was “anguished” by the loss of life.
Get breaking National news
The Himalayan state of Uttarakhand is especially prone to flooding. More than 200 were feared killed in February after flash floods swept away a hydroelectric dam.
Unseasonably heavy rains across India have led to deadly floods in several areas of the country in recent days. Authorities in the southern state of Kerala said on Monday more than 20 people had died there following landslides.
- Cornell president calls alleged gang rape ‘deeply disturbing,’ pledges greater transparency
- Dual UK-Iranian national released on bail over suspected plot against US-run military base
- Europe to release reserve oil and diesel after threats from Trump
- As Texas declares state of emergency over fuel shortage, what’s dyed diesel
(Reporting by Alasdair Pal; Editing by Jane Wardell)
Comments
Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first.