Over 50,000 pilgrims still stranded in Uttarakhand

The rising death toll in Uttarakhand has reached to 72 by official accounts and 50,422 pilgrims are still stranded so far. Prime Minister's office said 33,192 people have been rescued.

The rescue operations is been carried out by the State Administration with the help of helicopters from Army, Indian Air Force and private helicopters. Besides, the Northern Railways has deployed four empty rake trains for Haridwar and Dehradun. Shuttle services have also been started from Dehradun-Haridwar to Delhi, Ambala and Lucknow.

The Army has deployed 8100 troops which includes medical teams, engineer task force and Signal Detachment. 19 Boats and 9 helicopters have already been pressed into the service. About 5,500 Jawans and Officers of the Army, 3000 men of the Border Roads Organisation and 600 ITBP personnel are engaged in relief and rescue efforts.

Thirteen teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been deployed. The Air Force has deployed 18 helicopters and a C-130 aircraft. Private helicopters have also been engaged by the State Government.

Ten Specialised Mountaineering Teams for Kedarnath-Soumang area have been deployed. The Army has established Relief Camps at Harsil, Joshimath, Rudraprayag and Gauchar Advanced Landing Ground (ALG). Medical Camps have been established at Harsil, Rudraprayag, Joshimath, Govindghat, Gothi, Dharchula and Gwaldam.

Road connectivity between Rishikesh- Joshimath –Mana opened for traffic for light vehicles. Road from Tanakpur-Pithoragarh–Jauljibi–Tawaghat-Ghatiabgarh partially opened. The road from Tanakpur to Pithoragarh is open. On road Pithoragarh-Tawaghat, the road up to Km 80 is open. Major damages have occurred to road beyond Tawaghat. Two major bridges have been washed away. A major programme of restoration has been taken up.

The Prime Minister has already announced a 100 Crore relief package for the rain devastated Uttarakhand. Assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those who have lost their lives and Rs 50,000 each to those who have been injured will be provided from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Further, Rs 1 lakh assistance each has been given to those whose houses have been completely destroyed and  Rs 50,000 each to those whose houses have been damaged. The Union government has released Rs 145 crore immediately.