DEHRADUN: At least 12 people were killed and about 50 missing Saturday in a landslide triggered by heavy rains in India's northern Uttarakhand state, an official said.

The landslide occurred in Pithoragarh district, about 450 kilometres (280 miles) from state capital Dehradun.

"Twelve bodies have been recovered and the search is on for another 50 people who are believed trapped in the debris of the mudslide," senior administration official N.S. Negi told AFP by phone.

The remote hilly region was lashed by heavy rains during the night and rescue workers were searching for members of 11 families reported missing from two villages, he added.