The death count in the bus accident in Uttarakhand’s Almora district has climbed to 20. According to district authorities, the 45-seater passenger bus fell into a gorge at Marchula this morning while travelling from Garhwal to Kumaon.

The Jammu and Kashmir assembly elected Abdul Rahim Rather of the National Conference as its speaker in the first session after six years. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and protem speaker Mubarak Gul congratulated Rather. The session will end on November 8, and key discussions include the L-G’s address and a Motion of Thanks.

The incident took place at Saikdakhedi Jod on the Bhopal-Indore highway at around 8.30 am, according to police.