New Delhi, Aug 7 (IANS) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday directed the defence ministry to deploy helicopters to rescue people stranded in remote areas of Uttarakhand following flash floods and landslides.

The prime minister also assured Uttarakhand 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.