SRINAGAR, India (AP) – The death toll from severe flooding in Indian-controlled Kashmir rose to at least 39 on Friday, as overwhelmed local authorities requested help from federal rescue officials. Rain continued to fall in much of the Himalayan region, forcing thousands to abandon their homes.
Officials said the deaths from flooding and landslides caused by four days of rain included five bodies recovered after a bus carrying more than 50 members of a wedding party was swept away in a stream Thursday. Four passengers managed to swam to safety and rescuers are searching for the others.
The heavy rains eased Friday, but light rain was expected to continue until Saturday evening, meteorologists said.
Shantmanu, a government official who uses only one name, said 15 people were buried under a house that collapsed in Poonch region on Friday. Rescuers have recovered five bodies so far, he said.
Three other people, including a paramilitary soldier, were washed away when a bridge collapsed in a separate incident.