Flash floods and landslides unleashed by early monsoon rains have killed at least 560 people in northern India and left tens of thousands missing. The death toll is expected to rise significantly.

Houses and small apartment blocks on the banks of the Ganga have toppled into the rushing, swollen waters and been swept away with cars and trucks.

Thousands of military servicemen are involved in rescue operations, with air force helicopters plucking survivors, many of them pilgrims and tourists, from the foothills of the Himalayas.

About 33,000 people had been rescued so far this week, the Home Ministry said. The Railways were running special trains from the devastated areas to take people home.

The rains had eased on Saturday but more rain is expected early next week, complicating the task of rescuers.

Companies like Jindal Steel and HCC have joined hands with government agencies to provide assistance to victims in Uttarakhand.

Jindal Steel said it had contributed Rs 5 crore towards Uttarakhand flood relief and also provided air support to help stranded pilgrims to safer places.

Meanwhile, construction major HCC said the company was providing support to nearby villages by clearing roads using equipment like dozers and dumpers.

The company also provided assistance to government teams to move towards Kedarnath to rescue stranded pilgrims by clearing the debris.

Meanwhile, Sahara Group said it provide one lakh bottles of drinking water and over one lakh juice bottles and food packets along with candles and match boxes in the Uttarakhand region.

“Sahara will also construct 10,000 pre-fabricated houses based on latest technology, under rehabilitation programme,” it added.

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