U'khand: Landslides reported, rescue ops hit by bad weather

Dehradun:Excessive clouds over Kedarnath and Badrinath stopped helicopters from resuming rescue operations in the area on Monday, Indo Tibetan Border Police authorities said. Meanwhile, two minor landslides were reported on Rudraprayag-Guptkashi road and Rishikesh-Uttarkashi route. Bulldozers had been pressed into action to clear the debris, reports said.

Uttarakhand Disaster Management Minister Yashpal Arya said nearly 7,000 people were still stuck in Badrinath while 6,000 were yet to be evacuated from Harsil. The rescue operations were being disrupted by resumption of spells of shower.

The minister, however, assured that there was scarcity of food in places where the pilgrims have been left stranded.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday flagged off relief aid for Uttarakhand. It was learnt that trucks carrying relief material will leave from the Congress headquarters in Delhi.

Sources in the army said everybody was evacuated from Gaurikund and it was focusing on the Kedar valley to trace survivors. The army was mainly focusing in Harsil on Monday. People were being encouraged to move by the road. The next target is Badrinath as the road is now open.

OneIndia News