President Pranab Mukherjee condoles loss of lives in Uttarakhand

NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee today condoled the loss of lives due to heavy rains and landslides in Uttarakhand.

In his message to Governor Aziz Qureshi, the President said, "I am deeply saddened to learn about the heavy rains leading to landslides in certain areas of Uttarakhand, which have caused loss of lives, injuries and damage to property. I understand rescue and relief operations are currently underway.

"I am sure that the state government and other authorities are making all efforts to bring relief to those affected and also provide assistance to the people who have incurred losses."

Mukherjee, a Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said, asked the Governor to convey his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.

"I pray to the Almighty to give the families who have lost their dear ones the strength to bear the irreparable loss," he said.

Heavy rains have wreaked havoc in Pauri and other districts of Uttarakhand killing 24 people in separate incidents of cloudburst, house collapse and landslides since yesterday.