Even as official figure says that 54 pilgrims lost their lives in rain ravage, eye witnesses, who returned from Guptkashi to Jollygrant, Dehradun, claim that death toll figure might be in hundreds. They claimed that rains might have washed away several hundred people in and around the Kedarnath temple alone.
There is no clue about whereabouts of hundreds of people, including five police personnel posted in Rambara police post, in Rambara area that was swept away by rains. A senior official, who doesn’t wish to be quoted, said that the scene was extremely disturbing and death toll might touch the marks of few hundreds.
This calamity has exposed poor preparations of the State Government that was no way prepared to deal with such a disaster. Even the post of SP Uttarkashi was vacant until disaster struck the State. In a hurry, the State Government posted IPS officer Jagat Ram Joshi as SP, who had got no time to understand the topography of the area, on June 16. Even one constable was heard appealing their senior in control room that his mobile has no balance so kindly recharge his mobile and later his mobile went off.
Meanwhile, State administration has begun rescue and relief operation on Tuesday. They had prepared 40,000 food packets and 2,000 blankets, which were supposed to be distributed on Tuesday but could not distribute due to inclement weather after afternoon.
State Government pressed 11 helicopters, including seven of Indian air force (IAF) and four private, to carry out rescue and relief operation. Union Government has assured the State Government of making 12 more helicopters available on Wednesday morning. The lot of chopper would start rescue operation in the morning.
Talking to the Pioneer Garhwal commissioner Subardhan said that 77 people were evacuated from Kedarnath with the help of MI-17 helicopters. On Wednesday, several choppers would be engaged in rescue operation because MI-17 requires more space for landing.
He categorically said that Kedarnath temple surrounded by debris but temple is intact. Around 400 people were seen roaming around the temple.
More than 10,000 pilgrims, who were on Char Dham Yatra including Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are stranded at different locations- Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts. Talking to The Pioneer Disaster Management department has assured that Srinagar-New Tehri-Narendranagar route would be opened by Wednesday evening. National Disaster Relief Force’s 200 personnel each were on way to Kedarnath and Guptkashi. As per the report four officers of NDRF have reached the Kedarnath on Tuesday. According to Disaster Management secretary Bhaskaranad NDRF team will reach Kedarnath by
Wednesday 8 am.