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Toll climbs to 19 in heavy Uttarakhand rain

by IBNS 16 Aug 2014, 09:27 am

Dehradun, Aug 16 (IBNS): At least 19 people were killed so far due to the incessant rain that began since Thursday night in Uttarakhand with incidents of cloudburst, house collapse and landslides causing havoc in Pauri, Dehradun and Pithoragarh districts of the hill state.

According to reports, at least 14 people were killed in Yamkeshwar, Pauri and Lansdowne Tehsils of Pauri district, two people had reportedly been swept away in Kishanpur area of Dehradun while one death was reported in Pithoragarh.

Due to heavy rains, over 300 people were stranded in the Yamkeshwar block. Several people have lost their lives due to flash floods. The Chardham pilgrimage was suspended owing to impending landslides.

Rescue teams have reached the affected areas in Pauri district. In Haridwar, the Ganga River is flowing above the danger mark, reports said.

The state administration evacuated people from the low-lying Baraigi camp areaissing additional flood alerts to all villages situated beside teeming rivers.

The MeT department has predicted heavy rains for another 48 hours in the state.