26 persons were today killed and 15 injured in a cloudburst that flattened homes in Ukhimath area of Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district . 40 others went missing. Most of the people died in sleep as the natural calamity flattened homes early in the morning hours.120 army and ITBP personnel were pressed for rescue operations and a private chopper has been kept on the standby for evacuation if needed.Officials said communication and power lines were disrupted and traffic along several roads, including national highways in the area, was affected. Rishikesh-Badrinath and Rishikesh-Gangotri highways have been closed due to landslips triggered by incessant rains.Expressing shock over the tragedy, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna asked the District Magistrate to take up relief and rescue operations on a war footing in the affected area and sanctioned 10 crore rupees for the purpose.