India Monsoon Rains: At Least 1000 Feared Dead, PM Singh Appeals for Donations

At least 1000 individuals are feared dead in India in the floods following the monsoon rains that started lashing out at the country since last week.

But Vijay Bahuguna, Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, one of the hardest hit states by the floods, said on Thursday the death toll could still rise because rescue teams also continue to battle the floods and other hurdles caused by boulders along the highways.

"It could be in hundreds. I will tell you (reporters) the exact number once my people have conducted a survey and the Army personnel have come down (from the mountain)," he said.

In his Twitter account, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh appealed to all citizens to donate to the National Relief Fund. He also urged Indian nationals to helping those who have been stranded in the flood-affected areas.

Local news agencies reported the number of people stranded due to the floods have reached 50,000.

In Uttarakhand, a total of 33,192 people stranded due to floods have been rescued.

Read: Floods Spurred By Heavy Monsoon Rains Washes Homes, Trigger Landslides in India, More Than 50 Feared Dead

According to statement from the Home Ministry, some 50,422 pilgrims were still stranded at various places, while 13,000 people are said to be missing.

India's Defence Ministry said the Army had deployed 8,100 soldiers, including medical teams, engineer task forces and signal detachment. Some 45 choppers from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force are now being used to help and airlift stranded people.

PM Singh on Wednesday said the priority for the authorities "at the moment is to rescue the stranded and provide urgently needed succor to those most in need of it."