JAIPUR: Hundreds of pilgrims from the state who had gone for the 'char dham' yatra are stranded in Uttarakhand where torrential rain has created mayhem. Though chief minister Ashok Gehlot spoke to his counterpart in Uttarakhand and the state government started a control room in Jaipur to give update on whereabouts of Rajasthanis struck there, many families back home is spending sleepless nights.

Jagdish Narayan Sharma, a retired government employee who stays in Awadh Puri in Jhotwara is a worried man. His younger son Brij Kishore Sharma and wife Geeta Devi who had gone for 'char dham' yatra are not in touch with the family.

"They had gone to the pilgrimage covering Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Since Monday when they started their journey in a private taxi, they have been updating us on their travel plans but after Friday we were not been able to speak to them," said a worried Sharma.

He added that the cell phone of his son was unreachable since Friday. "A few times they spoke to us from a telephone booth as there was a network problem. But since Friday we are unaware of their movements. The news of torrential rain becoming fatal in Uttarakhand has increased over worries."

"The number of the vehicle driver is also switched off. God knows what has happened to them. We are praying for their well being and hope to see them back home soon," Sharma said.

Likewise, six others of Jaipur are stuck in Chamoli district in a temporary camp started by the government.

"There are no arrangements of water, food and electricity. Nobody has responded so far and there is no information on when we can start our journey back to Jaipur," said Sheeshram Sharma (60), a resident of Walled City who had gone to char dham yatra a week ago with his wife Savitri.

Jeetendra Sharma whose father DR Sharma is stuck in Yamnotri in Uttrakhand is in constant touch with his father. "He told me that the food items in the shops and other areas are finished. The people stranded in Yamnotri are dependent only on tea and biscuits and the local administration is not paying heed to the problems of the stranded pilgrims especially to their basic needs and rescue," Sharma added.

According to government sources, at least 800 people from Kota, Jaipur and Sikar district are struck in various districts in Uttarakhand.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot spoke to Uttarakhand chief minister Vijay Bahuguna late on Monday night. The state government also released Rs 2 crore for the Uttarakhand government for immediate relief. Chief Secretary CK Mathew on Monday spoke to the authorities in Uttarakhand and collected information on the relief work carried out there. The state government has also sent Bijendra Ola, minister of state for disaster management and relief to Uttarakhand along with a five-member team.

Helpline Numbers –

State government has set up a control room which will update on the developments of relief work in Uttarakhand

0141- 2227296

0141- 5110869

0141 – 2227603