Uttarakhand floods: Badrinath a challenge for rescue teams
The critical stretch has been between Kedarnath and Guptkashi, but now the big challenge has moved to between Ram Bara and Gaurikund. Evacuations are expected to continue for another week, while air operations will continue for three more days. The Sonprayag-Rudraprayag and the Uttarkashi-Rishikesh roads have now opened.
June 21, 2013 / 10:43 IST
It is day 4 of rescue operations dawning in Uttarakhand, where thousands still remain missing and unaccounted for, a week after the early monsoon resulted in flash floods and landslides. The death toll across the state has risen to 150, though the fear is that this number could rise very quickly.
So far 33,000 people have been rescued, but over 35,000 are still stranded across the state. Helicopter sorties through the day on Thursday were carrying people to safety. The Army, ITBP, Air Force, Natural Disaster Response Force teams and individuals have been working round the clock.The critical stretch has been between Kedarnath and Guptkashi, but now the big challenge has moved to between Ram Bara and Gaurikund. Evacuations are expected to continue for another week, while air operations will continue for three more days. The Sonprayag-Rudraprayag and the Uttarkashi-Rishikesh roads have now opened. The extent of damage around the Kedarnath temple has been huge. The number of people who have died in Kedarnath is not yet clear.Also read: U'khand toll may be in thousands, rescue efforts increasedAfter completing evacuation in Kedarnath, the Army's next big challenge is going to be Badrinath, where over 7,000 people are still trapped. A major portion of the 28 km long road leading to the temple town has been washed away.Uttarakhand government sources say over 3,000 people are still trapped near Ghangaria, a village on the way to Hemkund Sahib. So far, only four helicopters are operating in the area for rescue operations. Survivors recount horrorThe most critical, the old, the infirm are being airlifted to Dehradun when needed, being provided medical treatment. The armed forces continue to drop food and medical packets. But even after the rescue itself, there are huge concerns when it comes to survival.Separated from his loved ones, hungry for three days and left penniless, Kailash doesn't know if he and his family will ever reach the safety of their home in Jodhpur. "We don't have a penny, how will we reach home," he said.Kailash, his wife and his four-year-old son were airlifted from Kedarnath and brought to the district hospital in Rudraprayag with the other injured pilgrims. He got emotional as he remembered the horror in Kedarnath. "We had to walk over dead bodies. Nothing is left there, everything is finished. We can't even find our relatives," Kailash said.Others like Ram Singh and Mangu Singh are the only surviving members of their group of 30 from Ujjain. They are injured badly but glad that they have survived. Their troubles have not ended just there. They've been rescued but left with no care and devoid of even food and water. They said they are not being given food and medical care.It remains to be seen whether the authorities will finally act and provide these people with the necessary care.At the Jolly Grant hospital in Dehradun, those rescued are hoping against hope that their loved ones are safe. 100 beds have been kept at the emergency ward. As of now around 21 patients are admitted, ten have been discharged, with more patients arriving."We remained hungry for four days. We were very worried. Nobody helped. We were helping each other out but there wasn't any help from the government. Today we got some help and protection. Our children died there out of hunger," said a rescued survivor.Relatives search for their loved onesHuge logistical challenges remain for the rescue teams. Many people are worried about their loved ones saying they can't get through the helpline numbers.To help the many families and friends who have been separated in the Uttarakhand floods, Google has launched its 'Person Finder' App - under the name 2013 Uttarakhand Floods. It has already helped locate over 150 people. The App helps offer information on those missing - whether you have information to share on those missing, or you're looking for someone, you can log on to that page and post.This is an App that was used in the recent Boston Marathon Bombing. It was initially created in in 2010 in response to the earthquake in Haiti.You can also send us pictures and names of your loved ones who are missing. Just go to www.ibnlive.com/uttarakhandmissingHelpline numbers:Uttarkashi: 01374-226126, 226161Chamoli: 01372-251437Tehri: 01376-233433Rudraprayag: 01732-1077The ITBP helpline and control room numbers: 011-24362892, 9968383478Army medical emergency helpline numbers: 18001805558, 18004190282, 8009833388Uttarakhand Helpline numbers: 0135-2710334, 2710335, 2710233 Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
