Army heroes lead Uttarakhand rescue operations

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.

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.

"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. Nearly 62,000 people still remain cut off, officials said.

Seen here, people at a helipad awaiting evacuation.

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.

Hundreds of distressed people looking for relatives are waiting in Dehradun, the state capital, where flood survivors are being brought by plane and helicopter.

The important road axis from Rishikesh to Joshimath along with several other major roads has been re-opened in the last 48 hours.

Army Mountain Rescue Team used choppers for rescue and relief operations in the inaccessible area near Pulna village in Uttarakhand.

Due to non availability of landing areas for the choppers, jawans were inducted on low hover or are slithering down using ropes to rescue stranded pilgrims and tourists.

Rain has created havoc in the hill states of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh where torrential rains have caused massive landslides and flooding. The immediate focus is to rescue thousands of tourists and pilgrims who are stranded.

73,000 people remain stuck in Uttarakhand, many of them pilgrims from other states who were headed to the four shrines or "Char Dham" that include Badrinath and Kedarnath.

The Army is leading rescue operations. 5,000 soldiers have been deployed in the worst-affected areas.

6000 are stranded on the Harsil-Gangotri route alone where 15 landslides have taken place.

A dozen Air Force helicopters are being used to air-lift stranded pilgrims, tourists and residents in Uttarakhand and neighbouring Himachal Pradesh. Six more choppers were pressed into service today.

The Army has evacuated close to 4,000 stranded pilgrims in the last two days. The speed of rescue has picked up after the rain stopped yesterday.

The PM has spoken to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and promised all help. Union Home Secretary R K Singh said food, medicines and blankets were air-dropped in remote areas of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

The death toll in Uttarakhand has reached 102. Rudraprayag district was the worst hit with 20 people dead and 73 buildings, including 40 hotels, along the banks of the Alaknanda swept away in the swirling waters of the river.

The famous Kedarnath shrine was virtually submerged in mud and slush. A portion of the Kedarnath temple compound was washed away but authorities said no damages were reported to the structure itself.

About 500 people, including 45 policemen, are reported to be missing around the Kedarnath temple area. Authorities say that the death toll may rise once water recedes and relief teams are able to access the remote areas.

Next: The Indo-Tibetan Border Police leads rescue operations in Uttarakhand

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) carried 20 helicopter sorties and rescued more than 200 personnel from Kedarnath. 600 food packets were distributed by ITBP in Kedarnath area.

Search and Rescue teams of ITBP were airlifted to Kedarnath area which was badly divested. ITBP also airlifted its medical teams comprising many doctors and medics with sufficient stock of emergency medicines.

Victims are being brought to safer places like Guptkashi, Rudrapyag and Gauchar. ITBP is paying more emphasis to providing relief to victims having no shelter and support for survival.

A total of 4000 victims, 2000 yatris from Govindghat-Ghangharia area and 2000 victims from Lambagad area have evacuated safely to Joshimath by ITBP Search and Rescue teams.

Hundreds of victims rescued are being accommodated in various shelters in ITBP camp of 1st Battalion ITBP in Joshimath.

The teams are trained for such types of relief and rescue work as ITBP does most of the search and rescue work in high Himalayas.

In this picture, a Sikh jawan clinging on to a baby who just moments earlier had been brought across a river in spade.