Dehradun:
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has said that the death toll in the devastating floods in the state may go up to 1,000 - double the number he had announced earlier in the day. 557 people are reported to have died so far. While over 70,000 have been rescued, 22,000 continue to remain stranded across the state.
Here are the latest developments in the story:
Nearly 10,000 people have been evacuated today, with at least 2,000 being rescued by the Army from critical areas including Jungle Chatti, in mountains between Gaurikund and Rambara in Kedarnath. (Read) But nearly 500 are still stuck in the dangerous terrain which the government has dubbed a point of concern.
Officials say the stranded pilgrims in Rambara and Jungle Chatti seem to have taken refuge in the gorges and ravines in these areas when the massive deluge, triggered by torrential rains, occurred nearly a week ago.
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), which has rescued 3,500 people in Kedarnath in the last three days, plans to use Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) tomorrow to locate survivors in these remote areas that remain inaccessible.
123 bodies have also been recovered by NDRF teams from the Kedarnath temple complex. Nearly 80 people are still stuck in the temple town which is one of the worst-hit in the flash floods triggered by torrential rains in the state. Rescuers are also scrambling to evacuate another 8,000 who are stranded in the holy town of Badrinath. (Full coverage)
A group of 20 trekkers, including six Americans, have also been rescued after they were marooned near a remote glacier since the rains struck last week.
Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who reviewed the situation in the state today, has set a three-day deadline for completion of rescue work, given the Met department's forecast of more rain from Sunday onwards. (Read)
Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said all central and state government agencies were working in full coordination and harmony, a point he made hours after Mr Shinde spoke of a lack of coordination.
Over 60 helicopters of the Army and Air Force have been pressed into service in what is considered to be the biggest rescue operation launched by the armed forces. The Air Force's C130-J, a massive transport aircraft, today landed in Dharasu airstrip for the first time, and brought back to safety 113 people, including 17 foreigners, who had been rescued.
Two elite teams of Navy divers - with 12 members each - have also been sent to aid in rescue efforts. 16 more will join them today.
Distraught relatives clutching photographs of missing family members have been waiting for days outside the airport at Dehradun, the state capital, hoping for news of their loved ones. (Here's how you can help)
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