Rudraprayag. Kedarnath Dham: After the disaster in Kedarghati, the weather is proving to be a hindrance in rescuing pilgrims stranded in Kedarnath Dham and on footpaths and halts by helicopter. This is the reason why even after four days, not even one of them could be rescued.
1000 were taken to safer places
Due to unfavourable weather, the Air Force’s cargo helicopters Chinook and MI 17 could not fly on Saturday. 1000 pilgrims stranded in Bhimbali, Chirwasa and Lincholi were evacuated to safer places by small helicopters.
Teams of NDRF, SDRF and temple committee evacuated 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, about 1000 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 rescue operations are going on at a war footing.
10 thousand pilgrims were stuck at the Dham and various stops
On the night of 31 July, 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 running towards the forests after seeing the rising Mandakini river.
After spending the whole night in the jungle, they returned to safe places in the morning. 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. For this, the central government had also provided seven helicopters including Chinook and MI-17 three days ago.
700 people stranded in Kedarnath Dham
Due to fog, even small helicopters could not fly till Saturday afternoon, after which the rescue of people trapped in Bhimbali and Lincholi could begin. No one could be rescued by heli from Kedarnath Dham. About 700 people are stranded here. In the afternoon, the helipad at Chirbasa was also made ready for flying. After the landslide, big stones and debris had fallen on it.
