Uttarakhand reported at least 34 rain-related deaths so far, and several people are feared trapped under the debris of buildings that have been collapsed as incessant rains battered the state.
State Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that 34 people lost their lives and five are still missing as rains continued to lash various parts of Uttarakhand, with Kumaon region being the worst hit.
Nainital has been cut off from the rest of the state after a cloudburst in Ramgarh area of the district.
CM Dhami announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased, and those who lost houses will be given Rs 1.9 lakh. The CM also promised to help those who lost their livestock.
Dhami, who undertook an aerial survey of the affected areas, besides interacting with the disaster-affected people in Rudraprayag, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar district, said people need to have patience in this hour of crisis.
"I am anguished by the loss of lives due to heavy rainfall in parts of Uttarakhand. May the injured recover soon. Rescue operations are underway to help those affected. I pray for everyone’s safety and well-being," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet, condoling the deaths.
Earlier in the day, the prime minister had spoken to CM Dhami to take stock of the situation in the state. The chief minister briefed Modi about the situation and said the administration is fully alert. Modi assured Dhami of all necessary help to deal with the situation.
Trekkers rescued
Around 25 to 30 trekkers stranded in Gomukh trek in Uttarakhand were rescued by the State Disaster Response Force personnel late on Monday night. The team of trekkers had got stranded along the Gomukh trek on Monday when the road was blocked by boulders falling from the hills one kilometre ahead of Devgad following incessant rains, SDRF jawan Kuldip Singh said.
An SDRF team left for the spot after the Gangotri police post came to know of the incident late on Monday night.
The SDRF personnel reached the stranded trekkers after traversing a difficult terrain amid heavy rains and brought them to Gangotri, Singh said.
—With PTI inputs
