PrashantNews
For the stranded pilgrims at Kedarnath hills in Uttarakhand, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel are rendering yeoman service rescuing hundreds of them from the arduous and steep terrains with the flooded Mandakini river flowing dangerously below.
After heavy rains wreaked havoc in Uttarakhand triggering floods and landslides at Kedarnath area since Wednesday, thousands of pilgrims got struck at various areas in the high mountains of Kedarnath dham especially around the Gaurikund-Bhimbali trek.
The authorities on Thursday launched one of the biggest rescue operations since the 2013 Kedarnath deluge after a big portion of the Garukikund-Kedarnath trek at Bhimbali wiped out. The centre also pressed chinook and MI-17 helicopters to rescue the pilgrims around the Kedarnath areas on Friday. Scores of pilgrim have been airlifted so far.
According to a rough estimate, nearly 8000-10,000 pilgrims have managed to come back from Kedarnath hills through different treks in the last 2-3 days with the help of SDRF personnel, top officials said. The landslides cut off a big portion of Kedarnath trek at Bhimbali following a cloudburst that inundated Mandakini river on Wednesday night.
The SDRF Commandant Manikant Mishra has been camping at Kedarnath hills to supervise the rescue operation which is being monitored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
“There is a risk at many places from where pilgrims are being rescued. But we don’t have many choices and our men are standing in these precarious places to provide every help to pilgrims. With the blessings of Lord Kedar, the operation will be completed successfully,” said a top SDRF personnel.
Chirvasa helipad where landslides have obstructed the operation of helicopters has been restored with the help of SDRF. An official statement said the rescue operation by helicopters has resumed on Saturday from Chirvasa. “At least 8-10 sorties were conducted from Chirvasa on Saturday,” said the statement.
The Chief Minister has also asked the top officials to start repair work for the damaged trek which has disrupted the yatra since Wednesday. The Kedarnath yatra has been suspended since Thursday.
At least 20 people were killed in cloudbursts, landslides and floods triggered by heavy rains since Wednesday in Uttarakhand.