India’s Flood Missing at 5,748 in Worst Disaster Since Tsunami

Indian authorities said more than 5,000 people are missing following last month’s flash floods in the north in what could be the country’s worst natural disaster since the Indian Ocean tsunami almost a decade ago.

Vijay Bahuguna, the chief minister of Uttarakhand province, said 5,748 people remain unaccounted for while refusing to officially declare them dead. He said that the government will begin paying compensation of 500,000 rupees ($8,340) to the families of each victim. The death toll in Uttarakhand currently stands at 580 people.