In Uttrakhand, death toll has gone up to 52 following heavy flood and landslides in different places while 44 people are reported to be inujred and 13 others are missing. More than 60 thousand pilgrims are still stranded in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts.
People trapped in affected areas are air lifted and shifted to safer places. For helpline, contact can be made on 0135-2716201 and 2710925.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, who was stranded in tribal Kinnaur district for nearly 60 hours due to land-slides triggered by incessant rains, was evacuated this morning.
A chopper hired by the Congress party airlifted the chief minister this morning as rains abated and the weather cleared about a dozen persons, including some old and ailing persons were brought to Rampur in the state helicopter.
In Uttar Pradesh, flood situation in Terai districts of Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, Pilibhit and Shrawasti is getting grim with every passing hour as the heavy downpour has continued in these areas since last three days. On the other side, Bundelkhand and eastern plain regions are also experiencing intermittent rainfall since last two days where farmers have become active with preparations of Kharif crop. Our correspondent reports that the MeT department has predicted medium to heavy rainfall to continue in Terai, eastern and western parts of the state in next 48 hours.
The Central Government is extending all assistance, as sought by the State Governments for the rescue and relief operations in flood affected areas of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde had a telephonic conversation with the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and assured all possible support to him. Home Secretary R.K Singh is also in touch with the Chief Secretary of the state.
According to an official release, two additional teams of National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) have reached Kedarnath today and have started relief and rescue operations and 72 persons have been rescued. One team of NDRF is in Sangla and the other team is on way to Po to assist the district administration in relief work.
On the request of state government and Defence Ministry, helicopters have been made available and 50 pilgrims have been rescued from Kedarnath and brought to Gupt Kashi.
Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh spoke to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister, Vijay Bahuguna this evening and assured him of all assistance in rescue and relief operations in the flood hit state. According to an official release, Dr Singh inquired about the flood situation in the state. He also shared the anguish and distress of the affected people of Uttarakhand who see their homes facing the ravages of floods.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi today spoke to Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, seeking timely and prompt relief measures for flood-affected people in the two states.
According to an official release, Mrs Sonia Gandhi asked them to ensure speedy rehabilitation and proper preventive measures. The Congress President also expressed deep grief and condolences to the families of the bereaved.
Meanwhile, BJP President Rajnath Singh has appealed to all party workers in Uttarakhand to provide every possible help and relief to flood affected people.
