California mudslides: The rivers of debris destroy 100 homes 

At least 17 persons are dead and 20 missing amid “waist-deep” mudslides in US' southern California, where heavy rains triggered flooding. Apparently forest fire led to extensive deforestation and therefore, the flowing mud could not get arrested. US President Donald Trump is a climate change sceptic though it is a reality that affects American lives.

The mudslides struck an area that in December 2017, had already suffered the Thomas wildfire, and was spurred by torrential downpours that dropped nearly 2.54 cm of rain in less than 15 minutes.

Nearly 100 homes were destroyed and 300 others were damaged.

The authorities on Tuesday ordered evacuation and recommended that the residents move to high areas.

The mudslides in some areas reached a height of five feet as more than 500 firefighters were involved in the rescue operations.

The affected area is one of California's tourist attractions and the price of houses in the area ranges between $1.4 and $4 million.

Some of them are owned by celebrities, including TV hosts Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey.

with inputs from IANS