The rescue and relief operations in disaster-hit districts suffered a major blow as the 14-km long route from Gaurikund to Kedarnath was heavily damaged at many places. However, the National Disaster Response Force team has already reached the area and is slated to move from Thursday.
Although the clear weather on Wednesday did help in rescue and relief efforts the damaged route is also hampering the efforts. Meanwhile, the work of identifying the bodies recovered has not been started yet. The situation has made it difficult to establish the actual number of fatalities, considering the fact that about 8,000 people generally traverse the Gaurikund-Kedarnath route during the peak season, the death toll could be in thousands.
Officials said at least 1250 stranded pilgrims have rescued from Kedarnath so far while 407 pilgrims have been air lifted to the Army helipad near Sonprayag. It is believed that 600 pilgrims are still stranded near Munkatia, 15 near Ghinurpani, 40 at Janki Chatti and 40 on the Gaurikund-Kedarnath route. Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, Disaster Management Minister Yashpal Arya, Agriculture Minister Harak Singh Rawat and Kedarnath MlA Shaila Rani Rawat and chief secretary Subhash Kumar arrived here by helicopter to review the damage but had to face strong opposition of the locals who are unsatisfied with the government efforts.
With the Rudraprayag District Magistrate Vijay Kumar Dhondiyal admitted to Coronation Hospital after suffering a heart attack, the chief development officer of Pauri, Navneet Pandey is monitoring the rescue and relief measures in the district.