Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi conducted an aerial survey of flood and landslide affected areas of Uttarakhand this afternoon.

Dr. Singh yesterday spoke to Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and assured him of all assistance in rescue and relief operations in the State. The Prime Minister shared the anguish and distress of the affected people.

He said that assistance was already being provided by the Army and Air Force to rescue stranded people and to provide relief. Dr. Singh has also directed all agencies of the Union Government to assist in rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas of the State.

The Congress Core Group today met at the Prime Minister's residence in New Delhi to discuss flood situation in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said all efforts are being made to rescue people in the affected areas of Uttarakhand.

He said, a control centre is being set up in Badrinath for rescue operations and the Home Ministry is in constant touch with the local authorities.

The Home Minister said, food packets and blankets have been sent and local doctors arranged for people in the flood affected areas.

He said the State Government is distributing aid to the affected people and the army has rescued five thousand people and ITBP has given shelter to about 6400 people at Joshimath.

Mr. Shinde said three battalions of ITBP have been dispatched to the State. He added that 62,790 people are still stranded in the State.

About casualties, Mr. Shinde said the Ministry has presently information about 62 to 70 deaths and is still waiting for a definite figure.

The Home Minister informed that officials from the Ministry including Home Secretary will also leave for the flood affected areas to take first hand account of the situation.

Earlier, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said situation in Uttarakhand is better than yesterday.

Our correspondent reports that as per latest report, 102 people have died whereas a number of people are still missing.