The State Government claimed that 3,730 persons, including 1,830 by choppers and 1,900 by motor route, were shifted to safer places on Saturday by rescue and relief teams from different disasters-affected areas, including, Kedar Valley in Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi and Chamoli districts.
Death toll mounted to 557, while more than 22,000 people were still stranded. Claiming that total stranded people were evacuated from Ghangaria and Gangotri, Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar said, “Rescue and relief teams rescued 1,830 persons on Saturday, while 1,900 persons were sent to safer places through motor routes.” He said, “So far, 557 deaths have been reported.” The Chief Secretary claimed that 470 people have been evacuated from Junglechatti area and 250 are still stranded there.
He informed that of the total rescued persons, cavalcade of around 3,000 left for Haridwar and Rishikesh. Administrative and police officials have been deployed for the security and safety of the people. These officials would accompany them to Haridwar and Rishikesh. From there, the people would depart in the vehicles for their destinations.
According to the CS, 500 people are still in Badrinath. Of them, 300 have been shifted to Badrinath on Saturday only. State government appointed tourism secretary Umakant Pawar as coordinator for rescue and relief operation. Kumar said that Pawar would coordinate among Army, Air Force and State Government rescue and relief team.
Accommodation arrangements for the passengers coming from disaster- hit areas have been set up at Haridwar Bus station and Railway station. The temporary stay arrangement at bus station and railway station has capacity to accommodate 1,000 and 1,500 persons respectively. On June 22 when rescue and relief work carried out at a massive scale, at total of 10,000 persons were transported by road to safe destinations.
A total of 150 sorties were made by helicopters, including those by Air Force, Army and Private Operators. 11. The officials figures claimed that a total of 4,000 persons were evacuation by private helicopters followed by 3,000 by Air Force helicopters. Thus, a total 7,000 persons were evacuated.