Monsoon rains wreaked fresh havoc in northern India leading to flash floods, cloudbursts and landslips as the death toll climbed to 81 and hundreds of pilgrims bound for Himalayan shrines remained stranded. Landslides left scores of tourists and pilgrims stranded in the hill States of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh while thousands have been displaced in Uttar Pradesh where several rivers are in spate. Flash floods, cloudbursts and landslips have claimed 52 lives in Uttarakhand while damaging 175 houses across the State. Officials said that the toll could rise manifold as there were many areas where rescue teams are yet to reach. Rudraprayag was the worst hit with 20 people reported dead and 73 buildings, including 40 hotels, along the banks of the Alaknanda swept away in the swirling waters of the river.
