A sudden burst of heavy rain has claimed dozens of lives in India-administered Kashmir and sparked frantic rescue efforts, the second recent disaster to underscore the vulnerability of those living in the Himalayas to the effects of extreme weather.

At least 56 people have died and dozens more remain missing after torrents of water and mud driven by intense rain crashed through a Himalayan village Thursday in Indian-administered Kashmir, a top disaster management official told AFP.

Flash floods caused by torrential rains in a remote village in India-controlled Kashmir have left at least 44 people dead, authorities said Thursday, as rescue teams scouring the devastated Himalayan village brought at least 200 people to safety.