At least 46 people have been killed in floods and landslides triggered by heavy unseasonal rain in the hill state of Uttarakhand where roads are blocked and bridges have been washed away, officials said on Wednesday.
The Delhi-Kathgodam railway line near the foothills has also been damaged due to flooding in the adjoining Gaula river.
Video footage from national disaster management officials showed people being led to safety after being trapped in landslides. Other visuals show stranded tourists being guided by rescue personnel as they make their way through boulders and mud to leave the area.
The towns of Ranikhet and Almora remain cut off from the plains, as roads have been blocked due to landslides.
There is little fuel available in the cantonment town of Ranikhet. and what is left has been reserved for emergency services. Low-voltage electricity has been restored after 24 hours, and fibre optic cables (providing telephone and internet services) have been cut in multiple locations, an official said.
In Almora seven people died yesterday, news agency ANI reported.
Connectivity to Nainital, the popular tourist resort, was restored late last night after hours of struggle, officials told PTI, adding that electricity, phones, and internet services were still patchy.
Stranded tourists have now begun to leave. Visuals this morning showed families walking with their belongings on a hillside.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was anguished at the loss of life, he said on Twitter.
Three Air Force helicopters have been deployed to help in rescue and relief ops; two have been sent to the Nainital region, where additional cloudbursts yesterday caused more damage.
The third is assisting in rescue operations in the Garhwal region.
NDRF chief Satya Pradhan tweeted today to say 15 teams had been deployed.
The state has said water levels are reducing but warned that it could take a few days for the situation to be fully under control. Nevertheless, police have confirmed that the 'Char Dham Yatra', which was halted yesterday, will resume after the final stretch – Joshimath to Badrinath was cleared.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami yesterday announced Rs 4 lakh compensation for the families of those killed and Rs 1.9 lakh for those whose houses have been destroyed. Help will also be given to farmers and those who lost livestock to floods and landslides, he said.
Mr Dhami also said he remains in contact with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, and that the centre has promised all possible assistance to the state.
