SC tells NDMA to file status report on Uttarakhand rescue operations by July 26

The Supreme Court has asked the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to submit its status report on rescue operations in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand by July 26.

A bench headed by Justice A K Patnaik asked the NDMA to file an affidavit on the status of rescue operations within two weeks.

Meanwhile, the Uttarakhand Government informed the court that pilgrims who were stranded in the various affected areas of the state have been evacuated.

The bench posted the matter for further hearing on July 26.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by a lawyer, who has sought the apex court's directions to the Centre and the state government to rescue people stranded in the flood-hit areas in Uttarakhand

Meanwhile, a team from the National Human Rights Commission-NHRC will visit the flood ravaged Uttarakhand on July 15 (Monday) to take stock of the situation.

The NHRC in a statement said that the team headed by the Director General (Investigation), Kanwaljit Deol, will hold meetings with senior officials of the State Government and Non-governmental organisations during their four-day stay.

The team will also visit the affected areas of the state and make assessment of various aspects including the number of deaths, relief camps, alternate arrangements for rehabilitation of affected people, restoration of infrastructure and monetary relief.