LUCKNOW, India — Torrential rains triggered heavy floods and landslides that poured down hills in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, killing at least 18 people by Friday and destroying dozens of homes, officials said. During the heavy rains, officials temporarily blocked pilgrimages to some temples as a safety precaution. Flood waters and mudslides have blocked roads at more than a dozen places, delaying the movement of rescue teams in the area. Helicopters were unable to fly rescue teams due to poor visibility in the area, said O.P. Many people were trapped under toppled houses and debris unleashed by the landslides, according to the state’s top elected official, Chief Minister Harish Rawat.

Source: Washington Post July 01, 2016 08:48 UTC