PM assures all assistance for rescue, relief operations in flood-affected Uttarakhand

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna earlier this evening, and inquired about the flood situation in the state.

Dr. Singh assured the Uttarakhand Chief Minister of all assistance in rescue and relief operations in the flood-hit state.

Dr. Singh shared the anguish and distress of the affected-people of Uttarakhand who see their homes facing the ravages of floods.

He said that assistance was already being provided by the Army and Air Force to rescue stranded people and to provide relief.

The Prime Minister has also directed all agencies of the Union Government to assist in rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas of the state.

The Central Government has been extending all assistance, as sought by the State Governments for the rescue and relief operations in flood-affected areas of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had a telephonic conversation with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and assured all possible support to him. Union Home Secretary R.K Singh is also in touch with the Chief Secretary of the state.

Two additional teams of National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) have reached Kedarnath today and have started relief and rescue operations and 72 persons have been rescued. One team of NDRF is in Sangla and the other team is on way to Po to assist the district administration in relief work.

On the request of state government and directions of the Defence Ministry, helicopters have been made available and 50 pilgrims have been rescued from Kedarnath and brought to Gupt Kashi.

Thirty-four persons have lost their lives in different parts of Uttarakhand so far.