Dehradun: Incessant rain and bad weather have hampered rescue and relief work in Uttarakhand which was badly hit by a cloudburst and flooding, the Army said on Saturday. “Rain and bad weather continues to hamper rescue and relief work. Dog squads and additional medical teams are on standby, ready to be inducted as soon as the weather permits,” the Army said. At least 14 bodies have been recovered so far from the debris in villages which were hit by rain due to the cloudburst and resultant landslide. As many as 39 people were feared dead on Friday in the incident that occurred in six villages of Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts. The road leading to the affected site remained blocked due to landslides at several places, making the task of evacuation difficult, an Army spokesperson said.

This handout photograph released by the Army on Saturday shows Indian soldiers searching for survivors of a landslide following torrential rain in the Pithoragarh area of rural Uttarakhand state. At least dozens  more are missing. Pic/AFP