Bad weather Monday hindered Indian army rescue teams from evacuating people from India's flood-stricken Uttarakhand state, UPI cited officials as saying. Monsoon rains hitting the Himalayan state since June 16 have caused widespread flooding, killing 560 people and leaving an unknown number of others missing, Voice of America reported Monday. So far, 80,000 people have been evacuated, but heavy clouds, mist and rain have slowed efforts to evacuate those still stranded. The floods have washed out more than 1,000 major and minor roads, making air rescue the only way to get trapped people to safety. Voice of America said soldiers have focused their work on restoring bridges and roads so victims rescue efforts and resume on the ground. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on Monday told the Press Trust of India that there are about 10,000 people still waiting to be rescued and that the evacuation should be completed in two to three days.
