Heavy monsoon rains have claimed 194 lives in Himachal Pradesh, with Mandi, Kangra, and Kullu worst hit. As per official data, over 28,000 livestock have died, 579 homes destroyed, and public infrastructure losses stand at Rs 1,852.52 crore. Roads, transformers, and water supply schemes remain severely disrupted.
Relief and rescue operation underway following flash floods triggered by a cloudburst, in Uttarkashi. Pic/PTI
A day after flash floods wreaked havoc in Uttarakhand, it has been reported that around 150 people have been rescued from the Uttarkashi region. The state was struck by flash floods a day ago, even as 11 army troops remain missing, an NDRF officer said on Wednesday.
It has also been reported by the news agency PTI that 413 pilgrims stranded along the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra route were rescued in Himachal Pradesh.
While highlighting the concerning situation in Uttarakhand, the Deputy Inspector General (Operations), Mohsen Shahedi, told the media that “three teams of the federal contingency force were en route to the Dharali village but were delayed as the Rishikesh-Uttarkashi highway is blocked due to landslides.
He further added that “Bad weather has so far prevented two National Disaster Response Force teams from being airlifted from Dehradun,” as cited by news agency PTI.
Shahedi said that as per reports received by the NDRF, the army, the ITBP, and the SDRF teams are undertaking rescue operations in the affected area and have rescued about 150 people.
While the situation now seems to be under control, the official from the National Disaster Response Force asserted that, "We have been told that four people have been killed and about 50 are missing. Eleven army troops are missing from the Harsil area," as cited by news agency PTI.
To make sure that no further situation like this arises, three teams of the NDRF are very close to the affected areas. They will reach as soon as the route clears, the DIG said.
Furthermore, the Uttarakhand DIG Mohsen Shahedi said that around 2 pm on Tuesday, flash floods triggered by a cloudburst hit Uttarkashi villages. A lake has formed in the higher area, but it is safe as the water is receding,” as cited by the news agency PTI.
Meanwhile, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police said they have rescued 413 pilgrims who were stranded along the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra route in the state.
Commenting on the situation, an ITBP spokesperson said, “A large part of the trekking path was washed away, and the pilgrims were rescued through the rope-based traverse crossing technique.”
(With inputs from PTI)
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