New Delhi:
More than 150 people are reported dead so far from the "Himalayan Tsunami" in Uttarakhand, but at least 60,000 remain trapped in different part of the state. Officials say they expect the death toll to be in the thousands. The army says this is its largest rescue and relief operation ever.
Here are the latest developments in the story:
Almost everyone from Kedarnath town - the epicenter of the devastation - has been rescued, Ajay Chaddha, the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) said, adding 17 bodies were recovered from Kedarnath today. The holy town cannot be accessed by roads, and all evacuations will have to be carried by air, DG Chaddha said while briefing media today. Bad weather is making it tough for helicopters to land there and evacuate pilgrims. (Full coverage)
Soldiers are being ferried by helicopter and are climbing through mountain paths to reach more than 5,000 people trapped by landslides in the narrow valley near the famous Kedarnath temple in the Northern Himalayas.
90 soldiers were dropped by helicopter to Kedarnath this morning. They are carrying communication equipment, medicines and food. 2000 food packets were dropped in near-by areas. (Here's how you can help)
Authorities so far have been unable to reach eight villages feared washed away by the weekend floods in the worst-hit districts of Rudraprayag and Chamoli, said Amit Chandola, a state spokesman.
In the Kumaon Region, more than 50 people are stranded on the Pindari Glacier and Sunder Dunga Glacier. Soldiers are trekking there to rescue them.
"The Army has so far rescued more than 11,000 people, mainly from Govindghat and Harsil. About 10,000 people are also being provided food and medical assistance," an Army release said. 40 relief camps have been set up for those evacuated, however, nearly 62,000 people still remain cut off, officials said.
45 choppers belonging to the Army and the Air Force are being used to air-lift and help stranded people. 8,500 soldiers are helping the National Disaster Response Force and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel in rescue efforts. (Pics: Army called in for relief)
10 private helicopters and seven-eight Indian Air Force choppers are operating out of Guptkashi in Uttarakhand for rescue efforts. However, fuel has become a major crisis and will worsen from Friday. The choppers will have to fly to Dehra Dun to refuel which will take 45 minutes and fly back to Guptkashi, which means they will be able to fly for about an hour only. Normally, fuel is carried to the helipad at Guptkashi by tankers, but with roads washed away, that is not possible right now.
The important road axis from Rishikesh to Joshimath along with several other major roads has been re-opened in the last 48 hours.
Hundreds of distressed people looking for relatives are waiting in Dehradun, the state capital, where flood survivors are being brought by plane and helicopter. As those rescued exited the aircraft, those searching for missing people showed them pictures of their loved ones in hopes that someone had seen them.
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