ABU DHABI/MANAMA — Leaders of the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have sent separate messages of condolences to Indian President Ram Nath Kovind over the victims of a glacier burst in the northern state of Uttarakhand. In his message, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan extended his sincere condolences to the Indian president over the tragedy. UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who is also the ruler of Dubai, and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan also dispatched similar messages to the Indian president and to the country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The UAE expressed its solidarity with India a day after the floods caused by the avalanche in the Himalayas swept the north of the country, which resulted in loss of lives. In a statement on Monday, the foreign ministry expressed UAE's heartfelt condolences and solace with the Indian government and families of the victims of this great calamity and wished quick recovery for the injured. Meanwhile, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is also the prime minister of the country, have sent cables of condolences to the Indian president. King Hamad offered his sincere condolences to the president and to the families of the victims and wished the injured a speedy recovery. The Bahraini king also extended his wishes of safety and rescue of those missing and resilience to the country leaders in overcoming the natural tragedy. The Bahraini crown prince extended his deepest condolences and sympathy to the Indian president, and to all Indian citizens and the victims' families. He wished the wounded a speedy recovery, and for the success of search and rescue operations currently underway. The crown prince sent a similar cable to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. At least 32 people died and 177 went missing after a flood hit northern India on Sunday. The flood was caused when part of a Himalayan glacier broke off and sent a wall of water and debris down a mountain, sweeping away everything in its path.
