71 more bodies recovered in Uttarakhand, toll 1,000

The death toll in the June 16-17 flash floods in Uttarakhand climbed up to over 1,000 as 71 dead bodies were recovered Saturday en route to the devastated stretch to the Kedarnath temple, officials said.

As many as 68 bodies were recovered from the same trek route - between Ram Bada and the temple - and adjacent jungles and hills Friday.

Officials said most deaths appeared to be due to starvation and inclement weather as the pilgrims caught in the flash floods may have tried to take refuge in the jungles as rivers surged menacingly on the ground below.

Some bodies were found in the ridges between Gaurikund and Garudchatti Friday and were cremated the same day after completion of legal formalities, said Inspector General of Police R.S. Meena.

An official told IANS that "due care was being taken to preserve the belongings of the dead as well as DNA sampling was also being undertaken before the cremation".

After the skies cleared earlier this week after a long spell of rains, police and other rescue teams had undertaken a special "spotting mission" in the Kedar valley, ravaged by the "Himayalan Tsunami" in June.

The process to locate more dead in the neighbouring areas of Rambada, Gaurigaon, Junglechatti and Bheembali areas of the Kedar valley are likely to continue for the next one day.

Officials however admitted that dead bodies buried under the rubble of mud and boulders brought in by rivers are yet not located.

The process is likely to be completed by Sep 9, an official informed while pointing out that proper puja would be commissioned at the Kedarnath shrine Sep 11, as announced by the Uttarakhand government in consultation with seers and management body of the shrine.