Dehradun, July 9, 2013: Kedarnath isn't done with tragedy and disaster yet. Another real-life drama is playing out in the rarified heights of Lord Shiva's permanent abode even as you read this. There's no rescue after tragedy this time; it could well be the other way around.

A 74-member rescue and relief team sent by the Uttarakhand government to Kedarnath six days ago is struggling for survival amid incessant rain. The team, announced with much fanfare by Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, has run out of food and medicines, and more than half of its members are stricken by gastroenteritis and diarrhoea. Helicopters aren't flying from Guptkashi anymore, and the track to Kedarnath was wiped off the map on June 16.

The supply of rations by helicopter to Kedarnath remained suspended for the fifth consecutive day on Monday due to rain and dense fog. The 74-member team, consisting of doctors, DNA experts, veterinary doctors, animal husbandry department officials, public works department engineers, policemen and water department experts among others, was dispatched with great media hype by the state government to counter criticism on the delay in cremation of bodies at Kedarnath, Rambara and Gaurikund.

Shops of the dead

A forecast of turbulent weather did not stop the authorities from planning this operation. The team of government officials was supposed to assist in the cremation work in Kedarnath and assess the extent of damage to the temple town in the flash floods generated by the cloudbursts of June 16 and 17. The only relief for the stranded members is provided by their satellite and wireless sets, which have kept them connected with their base camp in Guptkashi for the last six days. As pleas for fresh supplies grow more desperate by each passing day, officials in contact with the team have sent out instructions to look for ration in surviving shops and other stores in Kedarnath and use them till arrangements are made to evacuate them. It's an order to loot the shops of the dead.

Grounded copters

It could have been worse, had the state government had its way. The government's first, rather ambitious plan was to send two teams of 100 members each. In any event, the first batch of 74 members reached Kedarnath on Wednesday last week with food enough for three days. They were supposed to return on Friday and a new team was to be sent to continue the work. Nodal Officer (Health) for rescue and relief operations in Rudraprayag A.K. Tamta, told Mail Today: "Bad weather has hampered the supply of relief material and rescue of sick members of the state government team in Kedarnath.

Their ration stock is over and a number of members are facing health problems." Heavy rain and poor visibility due to fog have grounded the helicopters that could supply essential items. Sensing the urgency, the Rudraprayag district administration has dispatched a sevenmember police team through an alternative trek route to Kedarnath. The relief team, carrying ration and medicines, is expected to reach Kedarnath by Tuesday evening.

The trekking group has opted for the tough 40 km Kalimath-Chaumasi route to reach Kedarnath as the original and relatively much easier 14km route to the shrine from Gaurikund has been washed away in the floods. The stranded members, meanwhile, are living in constant fear of death, say rescue and relief operation staff stationed at Guptkashi.

After rain stopped at 4 pm on Monday, efforts were made to send a helicopter with rations to Kedarnath. The attempt, however, failed as the helicopter was able to fly only till Gaurikund, the start point of the usual 14-km trudge to Kedarnath. Deputy Inspector General G.S. Martolia, who is monitoring the operation at Guptkashi, said: "Due to poor visibility, the copter was able to fly up to Gaurikund only. We had stationed 48 policemen at Gaurikund, but now we have started shifting them out to avoid any mishap."

Out of reach

Kedarnath and the multidepartment team remain out of reach of the rescuers as of now. Even the trekking team of policemen is carrying only a limited stock of rations which will barely begin to address the needs of the stranded team, and not for more than a couple of days in any case. With the meteorological department predicting rain and thundershowers to continue till July 12, the stranded members can only pray.

Source: India Today, DT. July 9, 2013.