Subala Charan Panda, a resident of Oshoka village of Chakroda gram panchayat under Kendrapada sadar police station limits is now a worried man. The reason: His son-in-law, daughter, and two grandsons, along with 21 pilgrims of Khurda, are now facing an ordeal at Badrinath based Dalmiya Yatri Niwas following the flood and landslide in Uttarakhand and waiting to be rescued.
Panda’s son-in-law Praffulla Kumar Panda, who is working in the Railway department at Khurda, on June 9 last, had started a journey along with wife Rajashree and two sons Bibhuti and Pragati from Khurda to Uttarakhand. 21 other persons were in the same pilgrimage for Kedarnath, Badrinath and other holy places. On June 16 night, while Prafulla’s family was returning from Kedaranth to Badrinath, severe rains started.
However, after they reached Badrinath on June 17, flash flood along with landslide occurred on the road. So, they were forced to stay put along with other 21 pilgrims at Badrinath-based Dalmiya Yatri Niwas.
Meanwhile, Rajshree and Bibhuti have been suffering from cold and fever but they are yet to get medical attention as the relief and rescue team is yet to reach at the Dalmiya Yatri Nivas, said Subala, who has been able to keep contact with them after much difficulty.