Uttarakhand: Race against time to find missing people
The search for thousands missing in Uttarakhand continues three weeks after torrential rains and flash floods hit the state. Weeks after the flash floods wreaked havoc in the hills, 40 bodies of flood victims have been found in different parts of Uttar Pradesh after they floated downstream.
July 05, 2013 / 12:37 IST
The search for thousands missing in Uttarakhand continues three weeks after torrential rains and flash floods hit the state. Weeks after the flash floods wreaked havoc in the hills, 40 bodies of flood victims have been found in different parts of Uttar Pradesh after they floated downstream.
Also read: 4,536 large dams without emergency action planThe Uttarakhand government has said that all those untraced by July 15 will be presumed dead. Search operations for the missing have been ramped up. A 50-member team of volunteers and experts has been sent to Kedarnath to clear the debris around the shrine. Seven mountaineers have also been deployed to comb the mountainside for bodies."Considering the magnitude of the crisis, the state Cabinet has decided that if the missing persons are not found by July 15, we will presume that they are dead and the process of paying compensation to their families will begin," Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said. Bahuguna said the exact number of people missing after the tragedy is 3,064. However, there have been different versions from different agencies on the number of people missing. A UN agency had estimated that the number of missing could be over 11,000.NDMA Vice-Chairman Shashidhar Reddy had also said that over 11,000 people are feared to be still missing in the flash floods and landslides in Uttarakhand. Reddy said as per the official data, the count of missing people is close to 3,000 but more than 11,000 people are feared to be missing in the state.Mass cremation of bodies in Kedarghati held up for the past few days started with 23 more consigned to flames at Gaurikund and Junglechatti last night, DIG Amit Sinha under whose supervision the exercise is being undertaken said.1,200 children still missing in UttarakhandAmong those still unaccounted for are 1,200 children and their families are hoping they won't have to go to the government on its promise to compensate families who don't hear from their loved ones within 30 days.Doctor Raizada in Lucknow is eagerly awaiting the return of her two sons - 11-year-old Atharv and 18-year-old Anjor - and her husband who were with her in Ram Bara at the time of a cloudburst that swept everything in its path.If you have any information on Atharv and Anjor, please call Dr Raizada at 9161133000.In Chandrapuri another desperate mother Sarita awaits for her son to return. 15-year-old Rajesh was in Rambara helping his father to ferry pilgrims to Kedarnath on his mules. Sarita hasn't heard from her son or husband in the last 15 days, but she isn't giving up hope.Across Rudraprayag, Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Uttarkashi there are mothers like Sarita who await and hope for their children to return. Around 20 schoolboys are missing from Guptkashi, who were helping their fathers with work in the summer break.Gopal Singh Fauji saw his two young sons die in front his eyes. "I lost my two sons in Uttarakhand. There was no trace of my sons when I went to search for them," Fauji said.From Lucknow to Indore, Ghaziabad to Guptakhashi there are many families who are waiting for any news about their loved one, refusing to give up hope. There is still no clarity on exactly how many children are missing in Uttarakhand, but based on an FIR's filled across the state, the government estimates that number could be more than 1200.At the Dehradun government hospital, the family of 3-year-old Pari, who has multiple fractures in her legs, is still missing. Nature's fury in Uttarakhand has spared no one, not even the young. 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!
