In Uttarakhand, relief and rescue operations are in full swing. Army helicopters dropped food packets to the floods-affected areas of Uttarkashi district. Nearly 28 people have so far lost their lives in the devastation caused by heavy rains, floods and cloudbursts in the district where para-military forces have also participated in the relief operation. The Army personnel also tried to build temporary bridges on the swollen Assi Ganga river which had swept away nearly 19 labourers on Saturday following cloudbursts.A number of villages have been cut off from the rest of the country after a couple of bridges collapsed under the impact of the cloud bursts. Meanwhile, situation in Uttarkashi town was limping back to normal and nearby villages after days of incessant rain . Efforts are on to reopen blocked highways leading to Chardham yatra as scores of pilgrims are stranded at various places in Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts. Last year, the government had suspended the Chardham Yatra to all the four shrines — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri — following heavy landslides and torrential rains for nearly a week. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna yesterday briefed Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in Delhi on the situation and sought financial support for relief. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi wrote to Chief Minister Bahugana expressing deep sorrow at the loss of lives. She sent her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.