Inclement Weather Prevents Rescue of Thousands Stranded in India

Rescue operations in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand are being affected by inclement weather, which has suspended attempts to rescue thousands of people left stranded by flooding and landslides.

The Hindustan Times reports rescue attempts being suspended for a few hours Monday because of precipitation. More severe storms are expected Tuesday as approximately 9,000 people remain stranded in mountainous areas where landslides have blocked the roads. Good visibility for helicopter pilots to navigate the hilly terrain is crucial to rescuing the stranded, the Indian news agency reports.

At least 12,000 people were rescued from Uttarakhand Sunday, raising the total number of people rescued to more than 80,000, the Hindustan Times reported.

BBC reporter Sanjoy Majumder said at least 600 people have died as a result of the disaster but that the toll will likely surpass 1,000 as a more thorough assessment of the damage continues. Damage from the landslides and flooding is so extensive that there is still no clarity on the number of missing or dead, the BBC reported. The Hindustan Times also reported that many more may die from starvation or dehydration unless they are rescued soon.

What is said to be the heaviest monsoon rain in 80 years caused the Ganges Rivers and some of its tributaries to flood, triggering landslides that killed or trapped hundreds, and left tens of thousands more stranded in the Himalayan hillside.

The Himalayan state of Uttrakhand was among the worst affected regions. People in scores of towns and villages have been stranded by flooding and landslides since Sunday. Roads and bridges have either been washed away by the floodwater or made impassible by landslides.

Kedarnath temple, one of the holiest Hindu temples, is a destination for thousands of pilgrims. At least 27,000 people were reported stranded near Kedarnath at the height of the disaster. The Hindustan Times reports the Kedarnath valley is "completely evacuated" of survivors, citing Indian security forces.

Higher up the mountains, about 5,000 are still stranded around Badrinath, another holy pilgrimage site.