Resolute BJP demands that Uttarakhand floods be declared a national calamity

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday reiterated its demand that the Uttarakhand floods be declared a national calamity, and expressed hope that there are no more casualties.

"Thousands have already succumbed to the vagaries of monsoon and vagaries of nature, but no further casualties should happen that's why we must all help the plan of the Indian Air Force and Indian Army and ITBP. So, that is the way forward for next two years and I hope nation will not play truants and will not have rains in yet couple of days so that all can be rescued," said BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar.

"And, at this juncture, let me also tell that this is the harsh lesson to everybody. If you play with the eco-fragile, sensitive nature damaging it then it recoils on you and that's why there needs to be a fresh look at the disaster management plan and preparation for it," he added.

Javadekar further said with Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, presently on a visit to Uttarakhand to take stock of rescue and relief operations in the flash flood-hit areas, should declare it as a national calamity as demanded by BJP because that gives more relief to those affected.

Over 73,000 people have so far been evacuated from the flood and landslide-hit areas of Uttarakhand as rescuers intensified their efforts to help those stranded in different inaccessible parts of the hill state.

The army, which has been at the forefront of rescue operation in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand, today rescued over 1,000 people in the mountains between Gaurikund and Rambara in Kedarnath.

In Joshimath sector, the army has constructed a temporary bridge across Alaknanda River near Govindghat to facilitate Hemkunt Sahib pilgrims to cross over.

A road link has been opened from Sonprayag to Gaurikund.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed 13 more aircraft for relief and rescue operations. 55 helicopters have been pressed into service for rescue work

The IAF has also deployed its heavy lift MI-26 helicopters for transporting fuel and heavy equipment required by the Boarder Road Organization (BRO) to clear roads closed due to landslide.

With the Meteorological Department warning of more rain and storms from Monday, the various agencies on the ground including the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) are operating with urgency.

Special trains are being run, and additional bogies have been added to existing trains to help the pilgrims reach their destinations.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the tragedy has gone up to 556. In Haridwar, 40 bodies of those killed in the flash floods and incessant rains were found. The government has warned that the death toll could rise dramatically as flood waters recede and rescue workers reach isolated areas.

The government has appointed former Union Home Secretary V.K. Duggal as a nodal officer to coordinate the relief and rescue operations.

The distressed family members waiting for their relatives at the Dehradun Airport are angry at the administration. They said that they are being offered little information and assistance by the government.

The Uttarakhand Government has set up control rooms in all districts. These include: State Emergency and Operation Centre - 0135-2710334, 9897890981, 9152443853; Rudraprayag - 01364-233727, 9412914875 and 8859504022; Nainital - 05942-231179, 9456714092 and Dehradun - 0135-2726066, 9412964935.