Torrential rains triggered heavy floods and landslides that poured down hills in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, killing at least 18 people by Friday and destroying dozens of homes, the ABC News reported.

The worst-affected villages were in the remote mountainous districts of Pithoragarh and Chamoli. Many people were trapped under toppled houses and debris unleashed by the landslides, according to the state's top elected official, Chief Minister Harish Rawat.

"We are getting reports of 18 to 20 people killed, and this figure may go higher," Rawat said.

The Press Trust of India news agency quoting officials as saying at least 25 people were missing in seven villages in Pithoragarh, about 510 kilometers northeast of New Delhi.

Source : MENA