Fifty die in Indian flash floods

By Shu Choudhary in Delhi

More than 56 people are believed to have died in flash flood in the northern Indian State of Himachal Pradesh.

The State's chief minister, who surveyed the area from a helicopter, said many were missing.

Unofficial sources say the death toll could be much higher because many areas are still inaccessible.

The floods came early in the morning in the Himalayan region.

Since then, the River Sutlej has engulfed a large area of northern Himachal Pradesh.

Widespread damage

The majority of deaths are believed to have occurred in the Kinnaur district.

Many areas in the district of Kulu, Mandi and Simla have been cut off from the rest of the country, with communication impossible.

According to the State Chief Minister, Prem Kumar Dhumal, at least 15 bridges have been cut off.

A hydroelectric power plant which is under construction in the area has also been damaged.

According to Mr Dhumal, the floods were caused by a cloudburst in southern Tibet.

Many landslides have been an common occurrence in the region over the last few years.

Environmentalists say massive deforestation in the hills is the main reason for these incidents.