63 killed in flood and landslides in N. India
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At least 63 people have been killed in the past few days in the northern Indian state of Uttarankhand by flood and landslides, reported local TV channel CNN-IBN on Monday.
The local government has called on the central government to declare a state of calamity as most districts of the state have been hit by flood while surging water level at the Tehri dam in the state has passed danger mark. Local military forces have also been called in to participate in relief operations for the people affected by flood.
The worst affected was Almora district, where a state of alert has been sounded by the local administration.
The Sitarganj, Haldwani Pantnagar, Nainital districts were also hit by rains and landslides. The railway lines in Haldwani, a famous tourist attraction, has been submerged, said the report.
The torrential rains also disrupted the annual Chardham Hindu pilgrimage with national highways and roads being hit by landslides at a number of places over the past few days.
Located at the foot of the Himalayas, Uttarankhand was also hit by flood and landslides over the past few years during the raining season. At least 80 schoolchildren were killed by a landslide in 2008 in the state.
