Heavy monsoon rain for four straight days has affected tens of thousands people in Uttarakhand region, in the northern part of India, with some reports placing the death toll to be as high as 80.
According to New Delhi TV, the two northern states in India, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, have been battered by heavy wind and rain for days, leaving thousands stranded, and forcing 5,000 army troops to be deployed to help those who have been ravaged by floods. The news station is reporting that as of Tuesday 73,000 tourists have no way of fleeing the areas, leaving visitors with very little food and some with no shelter, including hundreds of pilgrims making their way to the four shrines.
Fifty people have died in Uttarakhand alone, including five soldiers or "jawans," and countless other rescue officials. Another 60 people have not yet been accounted for, according to reports.
Meteorologists predict more rain for the region in the next coming days. Many of the area's roads - approximately 450 - have been completely destroyed from record number of landslides - about 15 as of Tuesday - making it nearly impossible to move to safer areas, according to The Times of India.
Also, entire villages have been wiped out.
Uttarakhand chief minister Vijay Bahuguna called the situation "grave" but is confident that the government's swift response and help from rescue teams will provide appreciable relief.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi sat down with Home Minister Sushil Kumar and Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand to issue directions for brisk aid for the victims of the floods, DNA India reports.
In a press release obtained by DNA, All India's Congress Committee (AICC) Communications Department said that Gandhi "also asked the Chief Ministers to ensure that arrangements for communication and travel is made for the stranded tourists and visitors from other states."
