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Indian helicopters rescue people trapped by floods in Himalayan State

Indian rescuers used a helicopter on Thursday to lift people to safety who were stranded in flood waters in Uttarakhand in the Himalayan State. This was nearly two days after an unexpected inundation of landslides and sudden flooding killed four and left dozens missing.

Rescue teams were unable to reach the tourist destination of Dharali, in Uttarkashi district, in Uttar Pradesh, after a wall flooded the area and submerged homes and cars.

Pushkar Singh Dhami said that the helicopter rescuers received the instructions they needed to ensure an effective operation.

In a message on X, he said that "the heli-rescue operations... began in the affected area this morning."

In images from the area, army rescuers used both their hands and machinery to move boulders off roads that had become muddy rivers.

Officials from the state and army said that about 200 people were rescued on Tuesday and Wednesday. However, many more are still missing and stranded.

Dharali is a small hamlet with 200 residents that sits 1,150m above sea level. It's a stopover for Hindu pilgrims who are climbing up to Gangotri.

Anamika Mehra was on her way to Gangotri at the time of the floods and said, "We saw Dharali fall before our eyes."

She told ANI that she was "very scared" but locals rescued her and the army arrived the next day.

Climate change is blamed by some experts for the frequent floods and landslides that occur in Uttarakhand. (Reporting and writing by Saurabh Singh; Editing and editing by Clarence Fernandez).

(source: Reuters)