One killed in landslides as heavy rains lash Uttarakhand

Dehradun, July 11 (IANS) One youth was killed and 16 injured in landslides at Kedarnath area as heavy rains continued to lash Uttarakhand on Thursday.The landslides occurred near Bhimli area where the unidentified youth was killed in the landslides that also blocked the track to the Kedarnatha area, police said.A team of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) rushed the injured to a hospital where the condition of most of the people was stated to be out danger. The youth carried pilgrims on mule to Kedarnath.Meanwhile, most rivers passing through Uttarakhand are rising rapidly, many nearing the danger mark, as heavy rains continued to hit the hill state. The Ganga was rising at a number of places, including Rishikesh and Haridwar.Mussoorie and other hilly towns experienced heavy rains since morning. Most of the hilly districts such as Uttarakashi, Chamoli and Bageshwar experienced heavy rains, affecting normal life. The met department has predicted heavy rains in the next couple of days in the state.
--IANS str/prs