10 killed, 60 missing in flash floods, landslides in northern India

NEW DELHI, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- At least 10 people were killed and more than 60 others missing in flash floods and landslides triggered by cloud burst in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, a senior police official said Saturday.

"Some 10 people are confirmed dead in the calamity while 60 others are still missing. Cloud burst has hit in three places, one in the state's Chamoli district and two in Uttarkashi district. A large number of people have been rendered homeless while many pilgrims are stranded," he said on condition of anonymity.

Disaster management teams have rushed to the spot to help in rescue operations along with fire brigade officials, the official added.

Local TV channels reported that water levels of Bhagirathi and Ganga rivers are also on the rise even as the state government has issued red alert in areas along Ganga.

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has asked authorities to speed up the rescue operations and has been personally monitoring the situation, the reports said. Enditem