Lucknow, Heavy rains and cloud bursts have wreaked havoc in Uttarakhand. 14 people have died and 10 people have been injured in rain-related incidents in various places of the state including Tihri and Kedarnath in the last two days causing heavy damage.
Due to cloudburst in Jangalchatti near Lincholi around 9.30 pm on Wednesday night, heavy rain on Gaurikund-Kedarnath footpath washed away 20-25 meters of road in Bhimbali and large boulders came from the mountains.
After this the road to Rambada, Bhimbali Lincholi was completely closed. Due to cloudburst, 30 meters of road of Kedarnath yatra route has been submerged in Mandakini river. After heavy rain, Kedarnath yatra has been stopped and a large number of people are trapped.
Rescue operations continued during the night and NDRF and SDRF jointly carried out rescue operations. More than 4,000 devotees have been safely rescued so far in rescue operations by helicopters and on foot.
Today around 1000 people trapped in the shelter will be taken out by helicopter. Rescue operations have been started again on the footpath since morning. Air lifting of passengers has also been started from Bhimbli and Lincholi. Manual rescue is also ongoing.
Passengers who reached Son Prayag on foot till late night were safely taken to Son Prayag market. The Air Force is also continuously being used to bring the stranded people. Air Force Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters have also reached Gauchar on Friday morning to speed up the airlift.
MI 17 took a round and rescued 10 people and took them to Gauchar. Issuing a statement, the Air Force said, 'The Indian Air Force has started a rescue operation from Kedarnath.
Indian Air Force has started rescue operation in Kedarnath by Mi 17VF and Chinook. NDRF teams with one Chinook and one Mi17 V5 helicopter reached the rescue site. More Indian Air Force equipment is on standby for further action.SS1MS
