People stand by the debris of a damaged house in Kargil some 235 kilometers from Leh in Ladakh, India-controlled Kashmir, August 6, 2010. [Xinhua]

Indian defense officials said 25 army personnel are reported missing and the High Altitude Research of Indian army has also been damaged.

Reports said army personnel have been mobilized to carry out rescue operations in the area.

"More than 15 Army columns have been deployed for rescue purposes. Detachments of the formation located at various places on the highway, too, were activated to provide relief and shelter to stranded civilians and foreign tourists. All aid was extended to evacuate them to safer areas, using Army vehicles," Indian army spokesman J. S. Brar said.

Hospitals, bus terminals, radio station transmitter, telephone exchange and mobile-phone towers have got damaged in the flash flood. The devastation has snapped the communication links in the area. Many civilian buildings have also been washed away in the heavy downpour.

The strong water current has also tore parts of the main Srinagar-Leh road hampering traffic movement.

The air traffic to the Leh has been suspended as water has logged into the airport causing damage to the runway at various places and affected Air Traffic Control.