The survivors said they had no time to react. Within moments, people were swept off their feet, some began drowning, and others were hit by falling muck, they added.
Teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), assisted by the district administration and police, are carrying out the rescue operation.
Pramod Nautiyal will remain in judicial custody as the SIT continues to probe the alleged theft of temple offerings, examining CCTV footage, records and other evidence.