Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi Tuesday expressed concern over the conditions in natural disaster-hit Uttarakhand and assured central assistance to the state.

Manmohan Singh Tuesday directed the defence ministry to deploy helicopters to rescue people stranded in remote areas of Uttarakhand following flash floods and landslides and assured Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna all possible help in dealing with the crisis.

“He has directed defence ministry to deploy helicopters to rescue people stranded in remote areas due to flash floods,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Torrential rains led to flash floods, cloudbursts and landslides in the sub-Himalayan region, killing as many as 31 people and leaving thousands stranded on the Char Dham Yatra route that takes pilgrims to Gangotri, Yamunotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath.

Gandhi meanwhile wrote to Bahuguna seeking information on the situation in the state following flash floods and assuring all help. She expressed concern over the affected families, and said she would talk to the prime minister for providing a relief package.

“It is a human tragedy. I am worried about the families who have lost their close ones, have been injured and their homes have been damaged,” Gandhi said. She also asked the chief minister to keep her updated about the progress on the relief work.