Sonia Gandhi seeks swift assistance in Uttarakhand after cloudburst

NEW DELHI: Congress President Sonia Gandhi today asked the Uttarakhand government to provide swift assistance for rescue and rehabilitation in the wake of cloudburst at Chamoli and Pithoragarh causing "extensive" loss of life and property.

Expressing concern over the damage caused, she said it is a matter of sorrow that the flash floods have killed and grievously hurt many people.

"Many people are missing is also news of serious disappointment. The relatives of those missing should not lose hope and we firmly stand by the people of the affected areas," she said.

Torrential rains and landslides hit Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts in the wee hours today, killing at least 12 people and burying villages in sludge with as many as 17 residents trapped under tonnes of debris.