Combing operations in Uttarkhand soon to look for survivors

Centre has set Friday deadline for airlifting all stranded people in the hills

The authorities would shortly launch ‘combing’ operations to look for more survivors at different flood-hit areas of Uttarakhand after the Friday deadline of airlifting all stranded people.

After holding talks with top army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officials, the Centre has set Friday as the deadline for airlifting all stranded people in the hills, despite the inclement weather conditions that had slowed operations since yesterday.

Once the airlifting of stranded pilgrims from all critical areas is over, the authorities would launch combing operations to look for more survivors. "We will launch combing operations to look for all those who are still alive but could not be airlifted. We will not leave any person who is alive in the affected areas," said V K Duggal, member of the National Disaster Management Authority.

But there was still confusion on the exact number of people stranded at Badrinath and Gangotri areas with the government claiming 5,000 people are still to be evacuated. "We believe 5,000 people are still stranded at Harsil (Gangotri) and Badrinath areas," said chief secretary Subhash Kumar.

Despite bad weather and heavy rains, Kumar said the forces continued rescue and relief operations with the help of MI-17 helicopters. "We were able to airlift 500 people till 3.00 p.m. today in the midst of heavy rains," said Kumar.

Kumar said army troops were bringing another batch of 500 stranded people from Badrinath to Joshimath in Chamoli district. In the worst-affected Kedarnath area, Air Force personnel have sighted 80 sadhus at Garudchatti. "All these sadhus will shortly be airlifted from Kedarnath," said Kumar.