LUCKNOW, June 25, 2013: The Army on Monday undertook the third phase of rescue and relief operations to evacuate the stranded persons. Army has been focusing on evacuation of people through land route from Badrinath to Joshimath and from Harsil to Uttarkashi as a contingency plan.

Army teams have carried out extensive reconnaissance and identified segments of road affected by landslides and develop crossing capability. Logistics Transport and Administrative bases have been created in consonance with state administration. Based on necessity, Army will evacuate pilgrims by road and coordinate their arrival in reception areas.

Army's search, rescue and relief operations continued throughout the day despite inclement weather conditions. In Badrinath sector, as many as 281 persons moved by land route on Sunday after the construction of Burma bridge across Alaknanda at Lam Bagar on the Joshimath-Badrinath road. Army on Monday created a heli-bridge at Lambagar in addition to the foot bridge. Heli-shuttle service continued till reports last came in.

Two Army and three civil helicopters ferried people from Badrinath today. Nearly 800 persons moved towards Joshimath on Monday with 450 using heli-bridge and the rest using the Army's Burma Bridge. Army provided logistics, food and medical aid at a number of places enroute. Army teams placed in different segments along the route also provided guidance to people.

In Uttarkashi sector, MI-17 helicopters made 16 sorties evacuating 402 persons from Harsil, while 683 persons reached Uttarkashi by foot. Foot/vehicle-based evacuation continued throughout the day. Army established staging areas stocked with food, water and medicines at Sukhi and Gagnani for the persons evacuated.

Following intermittent rainfall on Monday, a number of landslides occurred on the Rishikesh-Rudraprayag route, although the route ahead to Joshimath remained open.

Approximately 1,400 persons are awaiting evacuation at Harsil, almost 50 at Dharali and 60 at Jhala on Uttarkashi axis and nearly 5,000 at Badrinath. Army has also established food distribution centres at Govindghat and Joshimath.

In the Kedarnath sector, Army special troops with mountaineering skills continued search and rescue operations of stranded people between Jungle Chatti and Rama Bara. Intensive combing operations were on till reports last came in.

Army also said that despite inclement weather conditions predicted for next two days, its efforts to provide succour, rescue and relief will continue 24x7.

Source: The Times of India, DT. June 25, 2013.