Despite bad weather, government agencies involved in relief and rescue operation in Uttarakhand evacuated 12 thousand people on Sunday. Addressing a joint Press Conference along with representatives of the concerned agencies, Principal Director General of Press Information Bureau Neelam Kapur said in New Delhi that Jungal Chetti area which was a matter of concern on Saturday has been fully cleared by the joint efforts of Army Air Force and ITBP.
She said that the main focus of Monday's operation will be on Harsil where 2 thousand people are still there. Mrs Kapur said that a total 83 Air craft were deployed on Sunday for relief operation She said that BSNL has opened toll free help line numbers to trace the last location of BSNL mobile phones carried by tourist or pilgrim stuck in the hills. Numbers are 1503 and 09412024365.
She added that in Badrinath there are 5 thousand people waiting for evacuation and they are being look after. However they will be evacuated only after all those stuck in difficult places have been evacuated. National Disaster response force spokesperson said the first time the unmanned aerial vehicles UAV will be deployed tomorrow to scan effected areas in the state which will help to locate stranded people at ease and gear up rescue operation.
The Uttarakhand government on Sunday claimed that in most of the disaster affected districts stranded pilgrims and tourists have been evacuated. Talking to media persons this evening at Dehradun Chief Secretary of the state Subhash Kumar said that evacuated pilgrims have been brought at safer places in different locations and they are being send to nearest railway and bus stations by road in the supervision of a senior officer and doctors.
He said about 90 thousand persons have been evacuated till now from nine districts badly affected with flash flood and cloud burst. He said as per reports available from army and other agencies badly affected Kedar valley region have been evacuated completely.
As per reports available from army and other agencies badly affected Kedar valley region have been evacuated completely. Two day combing operation will be beginning from Monday from Gaurikund to Kedarnath temple complex by the Army, ITBP and NDRF to insure evacuation of each and every pilgrim from the valley.
Government has said mainly 5000 pilgrims are stranded at Badrinath and 2000 at Harsil area in Gangotri region. All stranded pilgrims from Yamunotri have also been evacuated. District Magistrate Uttarkashi has said that 600 stranded pilgrims were rescued today and remaining 1500 will be evacuated by Monday.
In Kumaon region rescue and relief operation was badly affected due to bad weather in Pithoragarh district. Army Commander, Central Command Lt Gen Anil Chait, on Sunday visited Guptkashi, Gaurikund, Junglchatti, Goucher and Uttarkashi to review the rescue operation conducted by the army.
Army has also set up medical aid centers at Gaurikund, Goucher, Joshimath and Harsil. In Chamoli district ITBP personnel has rescued 650 stranded pilgrims at Govindghat and they have been brought at Joshimath.
Lt Gen Anil Chait, Army Commander, Central Command today visited Gupt Kashi, Gauri Kund, Jungle Chatti, Goucher and Uttarkashi to review the rescue operation conducted by the army. He assured the people of Army’s commitment to evacuate them to safely. Army has also set up medical aid centers at Gaurikund, Goucher, Joshimath and Harsil.
ITBP has opened the road connecting Badrnath to Hanumanchatti. In Chamoli district ITBP personnel has rescued 650 stranded pilgrims at Govindghat and thae have been brought at Joshimath.
ITBP has also provided about 50 satellite phones to all agencies engaged in relief and rescue operation including Army, Air force, State Government, Border Road Organization and NDRF for better communication in hilly and remote areas.
