58 dead, over 58,000 stranded as rain batters northern India

Rain lashed northern Indian states Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh (UP) for the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday, taking up the death toll to 58 and leaving over 58,000 people stranded, Indian media reported.

The Indian meteorological department predicted more rainfall over the next two days in northern India.

Officials continued with the rescue operations in rain-hit areas as the toll in the two states climbed to 58. While 40 perished in the torrential downpour in Uttarakhand, 18 people died in Saharanpur district of UP.

Indian media reports said more than 58,000 people were stranded at different places on the route of the Chardham Yatra; Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath.

The onward trip to Hemkunt Saheb – the sacred pilgrimage for Sikhs – has also been abandoned, officials said.

Flood waters have entered several villages on banks of the Alaknanda river. At many places, gushing rivers have washed away roads and caused landslides.

The Kailash Mansarovar Yatra has also been stopped for now.

The Ganga is flowing two metres above the danger mark and an alert has been issued and people have been asked to desist from bathing in the holy river.

Army officials said bases had been made for rescue operations in Bareilly and Sarsawa.

Members of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were, however, unable to move further from Dehradun owing to inclement weather.

At least 14 choppers of the Indian army have also been put on standby for rescue operations.