Dehra Dun, August 26
At least 30 persons were swept away in flash floods that hit several villages near Sittarganj, Udham Singh Nagar district, early morning today. Even as 23 persons have been rescued, two persons were killed and over five were reported missing, officials said.
Two bodies were recovered, officials said. The floods also washed away hutments on the river banks.
Waters of the Kailash river entered villages around 5 a.m. today, washing away about 30 labourers of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam working in Ukroli, said SSP of US Nagar Amit Sinha. As many as 23 of the 30 labourers had been rescued so far, he said. Eleven persons from Nakolia village and 18 persons from Anjania have been ferried to safer locations using motor boats.
The Army, the ITBP the and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) have been pressed into service, apart from the police, to carry out rescue operations.
Ukroli village has been hit the worst while Nakolia and Anjania have been severely affected by the floods, he added. Even as the situation was grim in the morning with incessant rain and rising waters, it was completely under control now, Mr Sinha said.
Mr Sunder Lal, DM, Udham Singh Nagar, and other district officials rushed to the spot to carry out rescue operations.
State Minister for Health Tilak Raj Behar left for the site to supervise the rescue operations. Chief Minister N.D. Tiwari has directed the district administration to undertake rescue operations on a war-footing. Those affected would be appropriately compensated, he said.
