- By Nidhi Giri
- Sun, 04 Aug 2024 12:22 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Kedarnath Landslide: After the disaster in Kedarghati, inclement weather is causing hindrance in rescue of pilgrims stranded in Kedarnath Dham. This comes after massive landslides, triggered by cloudbursts at several places on the Kedarnath route left at least 14 dead and thousands stranded. The government administration is working diligently to safely rescue those stranded on the Kedarnath Dham Yatra route. The help of the Army is also being taken to speed up the rescue operations.
#WATCH | Uttarakhand: Visuals from Rudraprayag's Sonprayag
— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2024
At least six people have died in rain-related incidents since Wednesday evening as heavy rains lashed different parts of Uttarakhand, while many pilgrims and tourists are trapped on the Sonprayag-Kedarnath road. pic.twitter.com/Wc7UNl10Qc
The Army, led by Colonel Hitesh Vashishth of the 6 Grenadier Unit stationed in the district, will help in search operations besides restoring roads and building bridges.
On priority basis, a footbridge is being built on the washed out road between Sonprayag and Gaurikund. District Magistrate Saurabh Gaharwar, Superintendent of Police Dr Vishakha Ashok Bhadane are monitoring it.
1000 Pilgrims Taken To Safer Places
Due to unfavourable weather conditions, the Air Force's cargo helicopters Chinook and MI 17 could not fly on Saturday. 1,000 pilgrims stranded in Bhimbali, Chirwasa and Lincholi were evacuated to safer places by small helicopters.
Teams of NDRF, SDRF and temple committee evacuated around 600 people safely through the difficult alternate routes of Kedarnath Gadham. 400 others were evacuated by helicopters.
1000 Pilgrims Still Stranded
So far 9,099 pilgrims and local people have been evacuated and about 1,000 pilgrims are still stranded at various places.
According to Rudraprayag Superintendent of Police, Dr Vishakha Ashok Bhadane, a large number of pilgrims who have been rescued also include those who were still unable to contact their relatives. According to Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, rescue and relief work is underway on a war footing.
READ MORE: Cloudburst In J-K’s Ganderbal Blocks Crucial Srinagar-Kargil, SSG Roads; Clearance Ops Underway
10 Thousand Pilgrims Were Stuck At The Dham
On the night of July 31, after the incidents of cloudburst and landslides in Kedarghati, about 10 thousand pilgrims were stranded in the Dham and various stops due to the collapse of the footpath of Kedarnath Dham at many places. Many of the people present in Bhimbali, Lincholi, Cheerbasa and Gaurikund area at the time of the incident saved their lives by moving towards the forests after witnessing the rising Mandakini river.
For the last four days, the state government has been engaged in evacuating the stranded pilgrims through an 882-member team of NDRF, SDRF, police and disaster management department.
700 People Stranded In Kedarnath Dham
Due to the prevailing fog, even small helicopters could not fly till Saturday afternoon, after which the rescue operation of people trapped in Bhimbali and Lincholi could begin.
No one could be rescued by helicopter from Kedarnath Dham. About 700 people are stranded here. In the afternoon, the helipad at Chirbasa was also made ready for flight.