Social organisations arranging return of WB pilgrims

Charitable organisations Bharat Sevasram Sangha and Balananda Ashram have said they have rescued some people from West Bengal stranded in Uttarakhand, and are taking care of them at their relief camps, besides making arrangements for their return.
While 97 of them have boarded train at Haridwar for Howrah, 68 more are likely to leave tonight.
Releasing a list of another 145 stranded pilgrims from the state, the Sangha and Ashram sources said they are under their care at Badrinath and steps are being taken to send them back.
Out of the 145 pilgrims, 95 are under supervision of Bharat Sevasram Sangha and rest are under Balananda Ashram, the sources said, adding that Uttarakhand rescue authorities have been requested to airlift them as soon as possible.

The road from Joshmimath to Tehri was closed today due to landslides in Guptakashi and Rudraprayag.
West Bengal government's Principal Resident Commissioner in Delhi today met Uttarakhand chief secretary, who later directed district magistrates of Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi to assist in immediate evacuation of stranded pilgrims there, the sources said.
"Now sorties are being operated to Badrinath and Harsil and evacuation work will be completed soon," they said.
Quoting information gathered at Banga Bhavan control room in Delhi, the sources said out of 2,200 stranded pilgrims, 1,373 are reported safe.