Uttarakhand airlifts 900 pilgrims from Chardham area

The Uttarakhand government on Friday airlifted over 900 pilgrims by helicopters from Badrinath, Kedarnath and Hemkund areas after most of the rivers touched dangerous level that snapped nearly half a dozen bridges and washed away roads.

Scores of other pilgrims also moved to Joshimath and other safer zones by roads as the floods situation suddenly turned grimed since Thursday.

However, Chief Minister Harish Rawat said the Chardham yatra was still continuing despite inclement weather forecast by the Met department for 1-2 more days. “The pilgrims can still come to Chardham yatra and we have made all arrangements for their safety and well being,” said Rawat.

This was the first major rescue operation since the 2013 flash floods that wreaked havoc on the hill state. But there was no report of any loss of life in the flash floods this time.

Giving details, Rawat said a total of 350 pilgrims were airlifted from Kedarnath shrine, the scene of the major calamitous catastrophe in 2013. Nearly 550 people were taken to safer areas by helicopters from Badrinath and Hemkund shrine areas in Chamoli district. “We have made all arrangements such as food and accommodation for the pilgrims who are coming from various shrines,” said Rawat.

Meanwhile, the airlifting of pilgrims will continue for 1-2 more days as there are more pilgrims stranded at different places.