India says 6,000 missing in floods now presumed dead

About 6,000 people listed as missing in northern India following last month’s flash floods are presumed dead, authorities have said.

Authorities in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand had previously declared only 600 dead after flash floods and landslides struck the area destroying entire villages and leaving many stranded.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said Monday that those missing would be presumed dead and that their families will receive compensation of about $8,300.

The disaster affected not only residents of Uttarakhand but thousands of pilgrims and tourists who travel there yearly to visit remote Hindu religious sites.

India is accustomed to flooding from monsoon rains, but this year’s downpours arrived a week ahead of schedule, sending people scrambling for high ground as rivers spilled over their banks.

Source: The Times Of Earth and Agencies