New Delhi, June 27, 2013: Continuing its rescue efforts in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand, the Army on Wednesday evacuated over 1,000 people from both Harsil and Badrinath.

Senior Army officers said that nearly 500 people have been evacuated from Harsil by air and 800 people from Badrinath till now. As many as 375 of them have moved on foot. Approximately 450 are still awaiting evacuation from Harsil and nearly 3,000 persons are still stuck at Badrinath.

Army search operations in Jungle Chatti continued for the third day but no stranded pilgrim was found.

Army engineers constructed a steel bridge across Alaknanda river at Lambagar through the night in inclement weather conditions to ensure that it was ready for pilgrims moving by foot from Badrinath during the day. Another bridge is being constructed on the Songanga river in Sonprayag for passage of stranded people as well as light vehicles.

The Army has so far evacuated more than 33,000 people since June 17 — 25,000 of them by foot while 8,000 were moved out by helicopters. As many as 13 Army Aviation aircraft conducted 600 sorties to evacuate 2,715 people and ferry 24 tonnes of food, fuel, medicines, blankets and relief material to the people.

Website launched

To help the flood-affected people, the Army’s Central Command has launched an exclusive website. The site “suryahopes.in” gives up-to-the minute update on the Army operations across Uttarakhand, location-wise data of people stranded at various places, list of rescued persons, helpline numbers and latest news on flood victims.

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) also continued its efforts to restore road connectivity in the flood-affected areas. It has pressed into service more than 110 excavators and bulldozers. About 4,000 BRO personnel and labourers are working day and night but rains have hampered road clearance work. The BRO constructed two improvised log bridges between Songanga and Gaurikund on the Rudraprayag axis.

Source: The Hindu, DT. June 27, 2013.