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.

The state government has said there are several remote places in the Kedar valley region where hundreds of pilgrims have taken shelter but relief teams are unable to reach there.

About 80 commandoes and personnel from Army, ITBP and NDRF have been dropped in the region to locate the people in remote areas and preparing the places for landing of helicopters.

People stranded in Kedar valley are being brought at Gupt Kashi in Rudraprayag district to send them Tehri and Rishilkesh by road. Army has deputed its two mousers in Kedar region to save time in for refuelling to its helicopters engaged in evacuation operation.

First of all concentration is being made to evacuate people stranded in remote Kedar valley and in next phase, being start from day after tomorrow evacuation will be beginning in Badrinath region.

Principle Secretary Civil Aviation of the state Rakesh Sharma has said most of the pilgrims stranded in Sikh shrine Hemkund Sahib have been evacuated. About 1500 pilgrims were evacuated from Ghanghariya by the army helicopters.

The state government has provided 139 crore rupees to all districts for rescue and relief operations and in addition to this amount one crore each has been given to Rudraprayag, Tehri, Chamoli and Uttarkashi and 50 lakhs each to Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts administration to assist the stranded pilgrims and tourists.

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. 50 buses have been provided by the Uttar Pradesh to help the people.

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