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At least 14 killed in Uttarakhand cloudburst, more rains predicted

by IBNS 01 Jul 2016, 09:49 am

Dehradun, Jul 1 (IBNS) : At least 14 people have died as heavy rain and cloudburst washed away houses in Pithoragarh and Cahmoli districts in Uttarakhand, reports said.

Nine persons died in Chamoli and five in Pithoragarh after landslides caused due to cloud burst.

Uttarakhand recorded 54 mm rain in the last 24 hours and the downpour led river Alaknanda to rise above the danger level.

In the wake of the incident, the meteorological department  has issued an alert in the state.

Media reports quoted Chief Minister Harish Rawat  as saying,  "There are people who are still stuck in Pittoragarh. We have sent our response teams."

He said similar information is being received from Chamoli. "I am monitoring the situation here. We are saddened by the news of the deaths. We will be offering compensation very soon."

Large tracts of agriculture fields were destroyed in Suva village of the Dharchula area and three bridges linking the village have been washed away.


Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway (NH-58) has been blocked due to heavy rains and landslide near Devprayag.

The Thal-Munsyari road has been cut-off and dozens of vehicles remained stranded on both sides.

Further heavy rains have been predicted in the hill state over next 2 days.