In Uttarakhand properties of estimated 5 thousand crore rupees have been lost in the current unprecedented natural calamity in different districts. State government has said about a week is required for evacuation of pilgrims, tourists and local residents stranded in the flood affected areas.

Above 32 thousand pilgrims and tourists have been evacuated till now from different areas. An official spokesperson has expressed his apprehension that hundreds of people have lost their lives in the calamity but accurate number of deaths is yet to be ascertained and it will be cleared after removal of debris.

AIR correspondent reports from Dehradun, a total of 24 helicopters from army and four from private sectors have been pressed into service for evacuation of stranded pilgrims and tourists.

Principle Secretary Civil Aviation of the state Rakesh Sharma has said most of the pilgrims stranded in Sikh shrine Hemkund Sahib have been evacuated.

Uttarakhand government has received 49 crore rupees from different States including 25 crore from Uttar Pradesh and 10 crore from Delhi governments for rescue and relief operations.

About 150 buses have been deployed to bring pilgrims and tourists from safe places to different district headquarters.

The state government says bad weather and facilities for landing of helicopters in remote areas are major challenges for effective relief operations.

The Supreme Court today directed the Centre and Uttarakhand government to make all out efforts to rescue thousands of people stranded in the state due to flash floods and provide them food and drinking water.

A two judge bench directed the governemnts to deploy sufficient number of helicopters to rescue flood-affected people in the area.The court passed the order on a PIL seeking its direction to Centre and state governemnt to rescue people stranded in the state.

The bench also said that authorities should not discriminate among the affected people in relief and rehabilitation operations after the petitioner alleged that government agencies are neglecting people stranded in Gangotri.

It also asked the Centre to file a report on the relief and rehabilitation work in the state on June 25 when the case will be taken up for further hearing.

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has requested all citizens to stand with distressed fellow countrymen affected by cloud burst and floods in Uttrarakhand. In an appeal, Dr. Singh urged the people to donate generously to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund(PMNRF) and actively participate in the national efforts to support the affected people.

He said the affected people need help to tide over the calamity that has fallen upon them to survive and to rebuild their lives.

Payment may be made by cheque or draft in the name of the PMNRF and sent to the Prime Minister Office, South Block, New Delhi. The public sector banks will not charge any commission on drafts favouring the PMNRF. The contributions can also be made through money orders and also directly in the account of PMNRF.

People can also make contributions online through www.pmindia.nic.in. All contributions to PMNRF are exempt from income tax.

In Himachal Pradesh, after clear weather throughout the day today, the relief and rescue works get further momentum in calamity affected tribal district of Kinnaur.

About 300 stranded persons were evacuated by Indian Air Force and state government choppers from district headquarter Reckong Peo, Sangla , Pooh, Nako amd Karcham. According to reports more than 400 persons are still stranded in various parts of Kinnaur.

The road conditions due to calamity and no communication network in the most parts of the district has forced State Election Office in Shimla to recommend postponement of polling process for Mandi Parliamentary Bye-Election.