8 Aug 2010

Rescuers resume search for India flood survivors

10:01 pm on 8 August 2010

Rescuers have resumed their search for survivors from flash floods which killed over 130 people and left hundreds missing in a part of Indian Kashmir.

Tourists - who had travelled to the Himalayan area of Ladakh for whitewater rafting and other sports - joined soldiers and Buddhist monks in the operation, pulling out dead and injured from flattened buildings.

India's NDTV network reported at least 400 people were missing.

Attempts are being made to contact a New Zealander thought to be among those affected by the flooding.

The New Zealand man is believed to have travelled to the town of Leh.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says New Zealand officials in New Delhi are working with other countries, such as Australia and United States, to track the man.

The remote Himalayan border region in Indian Kashmir is popular for adventure sports.

The federal government said at least half a dozen commercial flights would operate from Leh on Sunday to evacuate stranded tourists.