UN chief saddened by deadly Indian floods

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Monday voiced his sadness at the loss of life and damage to homes and infrastructure in India as a result of the torrential floods in the country's northern state of Uttarakhand last week. The secretary-general extended "his sincere condolences to the people and government of India, especially the families of those who have died, been injured or otherwise affected in this disaster, " said a statement issued here by his spokesperson. While commending the swift response by the Indian National and State Disaster Management authorities, Ban said "the United Nations stands ready to lend its assistance to emergency recovery and rebuilding efforts if needed." Uttarakhand disaster management minister Yashpal Arya told the media Sunday that "at least 5,000 people must have been killed in the deluge that inflicted heavy damage on vast tracts of land especially in Kedarnath valley." According to reports, the death toll could reach 8,000 as thousands of people are still stranded in the mountains where rescue operations have been suspended following rainfall and fresh landslides Monday. More than 80,000 people have been evacuated since monsoon floods swept the state on June 16. The floods triggered landslides and washed away towns and roads.