25 feared dead after cloudburst in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh town
July 01, 2016  11:32
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Nearly 25 people are feared dead following a cloudburst in Bastadi area, 50 km from Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh town. Local villagers said five bodies have been recovered so far while more are feared buried in the debris.

Meanwhile, another cloudburst in Chamoli washed away houses in Gopeshwar on the banks of river Mandakini. At least two people were carried away in the high current of a 'barsati nala' in Gopeshwar's Siro village. Many other houses are also reported to be in danger.

All major rivers in the hilly tracts have also swollen after over 54 mm rainfall was recorded in the state in the last 24-hours.

The MeT department has issued a warning of heavy rains in isolated places in Uttarakhand especially Nainital, Udhamsingh Nagar and Champawat districts over the next 72 hours?starting tomorrow morning.

Light to moderate rains are also likely to occur at most places during the period, the MeT department said. Nainital, Udhamsingh Nagar, Champawat, Almora,, Pauri, Haridwar, Dehradun and Tehri may be hit by heavy to very heavy rains during the period, it said.

Official sources said the district administration concerned have been asked to remain alert in view of the MeT department warning.

The Thal-Munsyari road has been cut-off and dozens of vehicles remained stranded on both sides. The Yamunotri highway, near Kharadi, has also been damaged leading to traffic being halted.

Entry of heavy vehicles was halted on the Kedarnath highway after a landslide at Gangolgaon.

Image: Locals in the town of Pithoragarh where five bodies have already been recovered in the flash floods. 
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