CRPF presents to Shinde Rs 18 cr cheque for Uttarakhand flood victims

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) on Tuesday handed over a cheque of more than Rs 18 crore to Home Minister Sushi Kumar Shinde for relief of Uttarakhand flash flood victims.

Personnel of the paramilitary force had contributed a day's earning totalling Rs 18,01,46,637 and the cheque was presented by their chief Pranay Sahay along with senior officers to Shinde at his North Block office here.

"Donated money for victims of Uttarakhand floods to PM's relief fund and handed over the cheque to Home Minister today," Sahai told media here.

CRPF has also sent two trucks of relief material for the victims.

Meanwhile, with the improvement in weather in Uttarakhand, pilgrims and locals are being evacuated by air. Sorties of helicopters have begun in Badrinath region of Chamoli district.

At least 1500 pilgrims were evacuated yesterday, of whom 500 were airlifted and the rest reached Joshimath on foot. With this only 150 stranded pilgrims have been left behind and are likely to be rescued today.

A total of one lakh, nine thousand stranded pilgrims and tourists have been evacuated till now.

The Government has said that stranded locals will be evacuated this evening if weather favours. About 10 small helicopters have been pressed into service for dropping of food packets and other essential items in the affected areas.

The state government has intensified its drive to rehabilitate people and restore damaged infrastructure in affected areas.

Teams from the electricity department and PWD have been deployed for restoration of power supply and damaged roads in rural areas. In several worst affected localities, water supply system has been restored.

Border Roads Organisation has been asked for restoration of the important roads to facilitate movement of traffic and speedy supply of essentials to the affected villages.