Military joins rescue efforts in flood-devastated western Canada

Canada's military on Thursday joined rescue efforts for flood devastated communities in westernmost British Columbia province, with thousands evacuated from their homes and a number of motorists missing after powerful mudslides.

The Canadian Armed Forces deployed a Hercules transport aircraft, several search helicopters and hundreds of troops to the region, while putting thousands more on standby.

Defense Minister Anita Anand said three Air Force helicopters "rescued more than 300 stranded motorists and nearly 30 family pets" during the day.

Troops were tasked with "providing assistance with evacuations, transport of emergency response personnel and equipment," a military spokesman said.

More than 1,000 travellers were stranded by mudslides, rocks and debris between Sunday and Monday in the town of Hope, about 150 kilometers (90 miles) east of Vancouver. 

In the early morning, an emergency passenger train carrying about 200 people from the town arrived in Vancouver, Via Rail told.

Many motorists also got through on Highway 7 connecting to Canada's third-largest city after it was temporarily reopened by emergency crews clearing rocks and debris overnight, the British Columbia transportation agency said.

A video shared by the agency on Twitter showed a stream of vehicles driving westbound along a breakdown lane illuminated by floodlights, past road crews.

A search, meanwhile, continues for more possible victims swept away in a mudslide near Lillooet, 250 kilometers (155 miles) northeast of Vancouver, after a woman's body was recovered this week.