Modi to visit Kedarnath shrine

Uttarakhand was hit by the century's worst cloudbursts that triggered heavy floods, landslides killing over 180 people

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Kedarnath shrine in Uttarakhand which has witnessed century's worst cloudbursts that triggered heavy floods and landslips killing over 180 people, while standing over 60,000 people in the northern state.

"The chief minister will be leaving for Kedarnath shrine today evening," officials at chief minister's office said on Friday. Modi is likely to meet local authorities in Kedarnath and take stock of the situation there.

"Gujarat government is organising special flights from Dehradun to Ahmedabad to bring back those affected by floods, giving preference to women & children," Modi said on Twitter, adding that he would be leaving for Uttarkhand soon.

Soon after the tragedy Modi spoke to Uttarakhand chief minister Vijay Bahuguna and assured all necessary support. He also released immediate assistance of Rs 2 crore from the Chief Minister Relief Fund to help gujarati pilgrims and bring them back home.

A team of senior state officials has already reached Uttarakhand and are making arrangement to rescue people from Gujarat and sending them back to their respective homes.