New Delhi. After the cloudburst incident in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand, a large number of devotees are stranded in the mountains. Landslides have occurred due to heavy rains, due to which the roads have been closed and debris is flowing in many places. In this natural disaster, SDRF (State Disaster Response Force) personnel are continuously engaged in rescue operations and are taking people to safe places. Under the rescue operation, SDRF Uttarakhand personnel safely transported 450 passengers from Munkatiya area to Sonprayag late at night. So far, more than 2200 passengers have been evacuated safely by foot. The rescue operation is still going on and the soldiers are making every possible effort to evacuate all the stranded passengers safely.
A group of 50 people from Mumbai had set out for the Char Dham Yatra. All the people were stranded while returning after visiting Kedarnath. 18 people from this group were rescued by helicopter and kept in Sirsi. More than 300 people have been rescued from the Sirsi helipad since morning. People stranded in Sonprayag and Gaurikund are being evacuated on a priority basis, in which efforts are being made to rescue women and children first.
The Badrinath National Highway has been blocked near Gulab Koti since around 9 pm. Vehicles of pilgrims and locals are stranded on both sides in this area. Locals and pilgrims have accused the concerned department of negligence. The department’s machines were engaged in removing debris from the road, but suddenly broke down, which has created an atmosphere of anger among the pilgrims and locals.
Gulab Kothi-Badrinath National Highway has become a problem for people at this time. Pilgrims and local people are travelling on foot risking their lives. The local administration and the concerned department are expected to clear the route soon so that the pilgrims and local people can get relief.
