Claiming that thousands of people have died in floods and landslides in Uttarakhand [the official figure still remains 100, though the PM has said it is likely to go up], BJP today demanded that the disaster that struck the hill state be declared a national calamity.

"We demand that urgent steps be taken to describe this disaster as a national calamity. Adequate attention on war footing be given for rehabilitation and rescue operations," BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said. Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Sushma Swaraj said thousands of people have died in the Uttarakhand floods and has asked Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde to use the army for the rescue operations in the state. "Thousands of people have died and there is no rescue operation," Swaraj said on Twitter. BJP President Rajnath Singh also expressed concern over the situation in Uttarakhand and appealed to BJP cadres to provide immediate help and assistance to people affected by the massive floods and landslides.