Dozens feared trapped after cloudburst triggers flash floods in India state

A cloudburst in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand has triggered flash floods and the area has been struck by a series of landslides, with at least two bridges washed away.

Rescue teams are on the way to the region, but dozens of vehicles and at least 200 tourists are reportedly trapped in the area popular with hikers and pilgrims, and at least three people are dead according to local media.

The disaster management authority said in a statement:

"The area is witnessing heavy rainfall since yesterday, which has triggered landslides and created a jam of vehicles heading toward Rishikesh. Several vehicles, along with 200 tourists, have been stuck between Rishikesh-Badrinath NH and among them, three are reportedly missing."

The statement continued, "The National Disaster Response Force team is on the way to the site and the district administration is continuously monitoring the situation."