The Congress Core Group today met at the Prime Minister's residence in New Delhi to discuss the 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.

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

The Home Minister said the State Government is distributing aid to the affected people and the army has rescued five thousand people , with the ITBP having 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 get a first hand account of the situation.