The death toll from the flash floods triggered by heavy rains in Uttarakhand has climbed to 52, after six more bodies recovered on Wednesday, reported PTI. At least 17 people were injured and 16, including 11 members of a trekking team, went missing in rain-related incidents. The Kumaon region of the state, which has been worst affected by the rainfall, also reported cases of 46 houses being damaged. 

Nainital accounts for most death in the state with the figure touching 28.

The chief minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the families of the deceased, while those who have lost their homes will be given Rs 1.9 lakh and extended his tour of the affected areas of Udham Singh Nagar and Champawat districts in Kumaon to take stock of the situation. He travelled by road as his helicopter could not take off from Haldwani due to technical reasons.

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“Possible help to be extended to those who lost their livestock,” he told ANI. Dhami also visited Rudrapur in Udham Singh Nagar district, where he meets locals and took stock of situation from the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) team deployed there. 

Earlier, the Chief Minister conducted an aerial survey with Education Minister Dhan Singh Rawat and the state’s top cop. He later told the reporters that damage had been done to farmers’ crops and fields.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked him earlier today to take care of the situation. 

“Prime Minister and Home Minister have been briefed on the situation. Houses, bridges etc. have been damaged and 16 people have died so far. Three (Army) helicopters to be deployed for rescue operations,” Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told ANI. 

The weather department has predicted a “significant reduction in rainfall activity over Uttarakhand from today”, estimating “isolated to scattered” showers.

The chaos and destruction due to the rains has presented scary visuals. 

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Lake city Nainital was cut off and rendered inaccessible as roads from all three sides were blocked by landslides. “Roads to Kaladhungi, Haldwani and Bhawali have also been closed by debris from landslides,” ANI reported.

While 11 deaths were reported today, five were registered on Monday in Lansdowne and two in Champawat district. 

“Apart from the state and national disaster response forces, the Army has also been called to action,” Chief Minister Dhami told PTI.

Two Army helicopters are set to fly to the Nainital region and one to Garhwal to rescue those stranded. 

Social media is flooded with scenes of destruction. While Nainital lake overflowed and water rushed into nearby houses and Naina Devi temple, a cloudburst in Ramgarh injured a few people. 

Another video from ANI captioned, “Uttarakhand:Locals present at a bridge over Gaula River in Haldwani shout to alert a motorcycle rider who was coming towards their side by crossing the bridge that was getting washed away due to rise in water level. Motorcycle rider turned back & returned to his own side,” shows a breaking bridge. 

Check out the visuals below. 

Schools are shut and the government has imposed a ban on trekking, mountaineering, and camping activities in high-altitude areas.