Print _Uttarakhand Live_ Rescue Chopper Crashes, Pilots Safe

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5.07pm Ground report from Smita Sharma, IBN7

Several tourists from Nepal who have been evacuated from Joshimath in Uttarakhand were airlifted via ropesby the army and brought to Karnaprayag.

The Gauchar and Fata helipads were also activated. Around 35 sorties so far were carried out from Gauchar

today. Initially the focus was on Kedarnath. Now the focus is on Rambara, Gaurikund, Joshimath and

Badrinath.

The evacuated people have been brought to Gauchar, registered, given medical and food aid. The state

government is plying buses to send them to Srinagar and thereon to Dehradun or other accessible options.

It is the sixth day of the calamity and priority remains to evacuate the survivors. Body count has not begun.

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The opening of road routes opening is key since that maximises evacuation. The air sorties have only limited

capacity.

5.01pm Pilot rescued of crashed chopper

A private chopper crashed at Junglejatti in Uttarakhand injuring the pilot. Responding to the pilots distress

calls, an IAF Cheetah helicopter which was flying in the vicinity immediately reached the spot. IAF Sqn Ldr

Vipin rescued injured pilot.

4.55pm Update from the Ministry of Railways

- Special trains have been arranged to evacuate stranded persons from the calamity hit Uttarakhand areas.

- Special Trains have started running from Haridwar. Yesterday i.e. on 20.6.2013, three specials were run to

Lucknow, Delhi and Ambala respectively. More specials are being planned as per the requirements.

- In coordination with Government of Uttarakhand, Indian Railways has decided to carry stranded passengers

free of cost to their respective destinations.

- Railway administration is ensuring that sufficient Empty Coaching Rakes are sent to Haridwar/Dehradun.

- A Task Force has been set up at the level of Railway Board under Chairman Railway Board, Shri Vinay

Mittal to monitor the situation.

- Northern Railway and its Muradabad Division have fully geared up for making appropriate arrangements

(Uttarakhand falls mostly under Muradabad Railway Division of Northern Railway).

- The following Senior officers have been deputed as Special officers in charge of four most crucial points:

I. Dehradun-Sh. Sanjeev Garg, Chief Commercial Manager/Freight Marketing-Mob.no. 09717630953

II. Rishikesh -Sh. D. K. Singh, Chief Commercial Manager/Project-Mob.no. - 097171630969

III. Haridwar -Sh. Hitendra Malhotra, Additional Divisional Railway Manager /Moradabad-Mob.no.

09760534001

IV. New Delhi -Sh. Vivek Srivastava, Additional Divisional Railway Manager/Delhi-Mob.no. -09717631001

These Officers are maintaining liaison and co-ordination with the State Civil Authorities and ensuring

management and dispersal of passengers by Train services, running of special trains and also ensuring setting

up of passenger help booths at these locations to be manned round the clock.

- The following Helpline nos. have been installed:

I. Haridwar: 09760534054/09760534055

II. Dehradun: 01352-622131

III. Rishikesh:01352-434167


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3.20 pm: Priority is rescuing children, women, says Army

Lt General of Army Central Command Anil Chait said the force and other teams have rescued at least 33,192

people so far.

"We are constructing temporary bridges and trying hard to restore road links. We are focusing from segment

to segment. Chait further said that the rescue teams are now focusing on the children, women and wounded,"

he said.

The Army also hopes to restore the road link between Harsil and Uttarkashi by Saturday.

Chait further said it was not possible to give a timeline. "No more deaths will occur if a person is not ill," he

said.

"I assure India especially Uttarakhand that we will bring back the trapped to their families."

He further said that choppers from across the country, and not only IAF and Army choppers should be used in

Uttarakhand to rescue people.

3. 15 pm: Ration, utensils immediately needed in Uttarakhand

Voluntary organisations working with the government to provide relief in the flood-hit areas of Uttarakhand

have said dry ration and cooking materials will be required in coming days.

Items such as utensils, buckets, medicines, hygiene kits are also immediately needed.

You can contribute to various NGOs working in Uttarakhand. Among them are Plan India andGoonj.

3. 00 pm: 48 bodies recovered in Haridwar, identification process on

Forty eight bodies have been recovered in Haridwar and police officials are securing them in mortuaries.

Haridwar SSP Rajiv Swaroop said the bodies are being photographed and flashed to neighbouring states so

that they can be identified.

He also said that some of the bodies are highly decomposed and Forensic Science Laboratory teams have

been called to help identify them.

2. 50 pm: Narendra Modi to leave for Uttarakhand today

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Uttarakhand later today, his office tweeted. Home

Minister Sushilkumar Shinde along with other home ministry officials will visit the state tomorrow.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi had visited Uttarakhand on

Wednesday.

2.22 pm: Indian railways to carry all stranded passengers free of cost to their destinations

Minister for Information and broadcasting, Manish Tewari, who gave an update on the status of relief


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operations, said that 90 sorties were conducted today using 17 IAF helicopters and 11 private helicopters in

Uttarakhand. He added that the NRDF has recovered 18 dead bodies and said that efforts were being made to

ensure the uninterrupted supply of LPG, gas and motor spirits to affected areas.

"Search, rescue and relief operations are being carried out by the Army, IAF, private helipcopters, SSB,

ITBP", he added.

Tewari added that Indian railways had decided that they would carry all stranded passengers free of cost to

their destinations.

In terms of telecommunications, Tewari said that 207 towers were down in the areas in the areas of

Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi, adding that measures were in place to get them back up online and

functional. "Emergency numbers 100, 101, 108 have been made operational", he said.

2.07 pm: Uttarakhand death toll at 207, may rise further says Shinde

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has said that the death toll from Uttarakhand is at 207 and is likely to risefurther. The Home Minister was also reported as saying that 34,000 people had been evacuated, but added

that a further 50,000 people were still stranded.

CNN-IBN also reported Shinde as saying that 34 helicopters were presently on rescue missions, but had

pointed out a lack of coordination in relief efforts. "There is a problem in communication. VK Duggal has

been made nodal officer", he said.

Duggal will be in Dehradun from Saturday to coordinate relief efforts.

1. 40 pm: Former Home Secy VK Duggal made nodal officer

Sources have told CNN-IBN that former Home Secretary VK Duggal has been made a nodal officer to

oversee rescue operations in the flood affected areas of Uttarakhand.

On Saturday, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and other ministry officials will visit Uttarakhand tomorrow.

1. 35 pm: Sonia asks party MPs, MLAs, to contribute to relief fund

Congress President Sonia Gandhi has asked all party MPs and MLAs to contribute a month's salary to the

rescue operations in Uttarakhand.


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The Chhattisgarh BJP MPs and MLAs have also decided to contribute a month's salary to help rescue

operations.

1. 15 pm: No delay in rescue operations, says NDMA

Vice Chairman on NDMA Shashidar Reddy denied there was a delay in rescue operations in the flood

affected areas and said what was required was greater coordination between various rescue teams.

Families of those stranded in Uttarakhand had protested against the government alleging that the rescue teamswere not doing their best to save people.

1. 00 pm: Shinde to visit Uttarakhand tomorrow

NDMA Vice Chairperson Shashidhar Reddy said Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde will visit Uttarakhand on

Saturday. Reddy was speaking after a meeting called by Shinde to review of the rescue operations in

Uttarakhand.


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Rawat, who had visited the Kedarnath area, said that he spent five hours there and was shocked to see the

extent of the damage caused to the buildings and area adjoining the shrine.

"The centre of faith has turned into a burial ground. Bodies are scattered in the area. Only the sanctum

sanctorum is intact," he said.

11. 20 am: 1100 roads damaged, may take 3 years to recover

Government sources have told CNN-IBN that around 1100 roads in the state have been damaged a recoverymay take at least 2-3 years. Sources also say 94 bridges have been washed away and in Rudraprayag alone,

26 bridges have been washed away.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir government has announced a donation of Rs 1 crore to the Prime

Minister's Relief Fund for the flood affected people of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

10. 40 am: Angry relatives block roads outside Jolly Grant airport

Relatives of those missing and stranded in Uttarakand have blocked roads outside Dehradun's Jolly Grant

airport and are demanding information from the government.

While extensive rescue operations are on across Uttarakhand, some pilgrims stranded in remote areas are

facing shortage of food and water. Rescue officials had earlier said that poor landing facilities and narrow

valleys are hampering rescue efforts.


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9. 45 am: Army establishes access to Hemkund, 340 rescued Army Central Command has said that they

have established access to Hemkund, where 340 people have been rescued. Brigadier Uma Maheshwar has

said that an Army rescue team has reached Rambada and 1500 people are likely to be rescued today.

9. 30 am: NDRF teams reach Rambara NDRF teams have reached Rambara from where 17 bodies have

been recovered and 885 people who were stranded there have been rescued. An ITBP team which was on its

way there were stuck at Jungeljatti, where there is a huge landslide. Meanwhile, relative of people stranded in

Uttarakhand have blocked roads outside the Jolly Grant airport in Dehradun.


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9. 10 am: Kedarnath complete, Army heads to Badrinath where thousands stranded

After completing evacuation in Kedarnath, rescue teams are now heading to Badrinath were around 7,000

people are stranded. A 28 km long road leading to Badrinath is washed away, say Army officials. As of now,

only four choppers are operating to rescue people in Badrinath.


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9. 00 am: ITBP team on their way to Rambara

Rambara still inaccessible, ITBP team on its way there but are stuck at Jungeljatti, where there is a huge

landslide.

8. 10 am: Day 4 of rescue ops - IAF, Army choppers ready for sorties

IAF and Army helicopters detachments are in place in Gauchar and Gaurikund. In Dehradun, sorties from

Jolly Grant Airport have not begun as yet, reports IBN 7's Smita Sharma.

Meanwhile, sources have told CNN-IBN that evacuation operations may continue for another week, while air

rescue operations are likely to be on for the next three days.


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7. 55 am: All stranded between Kedarnath-Guptkashi has been evacuated

Rescue operations in the crucial Kedarnath-Guptkashi valley have been completed but around 7000 pilgrims

are still stuck in Badrinath and the Uttarakhand government says around 3,000 pilgrims are stuck in

Ghangaria.

So far, 33,000 have been rescued but at least 50,000 are still stranded across Uttarakhand.


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] An Indian Air Force chopper air-lifts stranded

pilgrims at Guptakashi near flood-hit Kedarnath in Uttrakhand. PTI

7. 20 am: Chhattisgarh BJP MPs, MLAs to help flood-hit Uttarakhand

BJP's MPs, MLAs and other elected representatives in Chhattisgarh have decided to contribute one month'ssalary to help flood-ravaged Uttarakhand.

"BJP MPs, MLAs, mayors, corporators and other elected representatives will contribute one month's salary to

Uttarakhand government to help relief efforts in the flood-hit region," BJP spokesperson Shivratan Sharma

said in Raipur today.

7. 05 am: Uttar Pradesh sends medical team to Uttarakhand

Assuring all possible help to the Uttarakhand government, Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav today directed

officials to rush a team of doctors for extending medical aid to the people in the rain-ravaged state.

A team of 14 doctors of Ram Manohar Lohia Medical Institute, Lucknow would be send to Uttarakhand on

Friday, an official spokesman said.

On the chief minister's directives, a helpline has been set up in the office of the relief commissioner here for

the benefit of the stranded people, the spokesman said. (PTI)

Updates for 20 June end

10.39 pm: Find your relatives, friends through Goolgle's Person Finder

Search engine giant Google has launched an application Person Finder to offer information on missingpeople in flood-affected areas in the country, including Uttarakhand.

Google Person Finder is a web application that allows individuals to post and search for the status of relatives

or friends affected by a disaster, Google said in a blogpost.

Since last week, the state of Uttarakhand in India has been grappling with severe floods. Given that most of

these areas in the state are highly inaccessible with intermittent communication, Google Crisis team bring you

the Person Finder, the blog post by Jayanth Mysore, Google APAC Senior Product Manager, said.

Here is the link to it:


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http://google.org/personfinder/2013-uttrakhand-floods/

10.10 pm: Sonia Gandhi monitoring biggest rescue operation in recent history

Congress president Sonia Gandhi is monitoring the rescue and relief operations in flood-hit Uttarakhand and

Himachal Pradesh, a party statement said Thursday.

According to the statement, one of the biggest rescue operations in recent history has been mounted by the

central and state governments, in which nearly 12,000 people have been rescued, and provided food, shelter

and accommodation.

Nearly 5,000 people are still stranded, and every effort is being made to trace and rescue them.

"The entire operation is being monitored by the Congress president for the last two days," the statement

issued by Congress general secretary Ajay Maken said.

"She has instructed the two chief ministers and party units to help in the rescue operations. State party unitshave been asked to collect relief material and send it to the affected areas. The Youth Congress has sent

rescue material. Party workers at the national level and in states are being told to help in the rescue

operation," the statement said.

Sonia Gandhi will be visiting relief camps and other affected areas soon, the statement added.

9.09 pm: 300 airlifted from Himachal by IAF

Over 300 persons were airlifted toady by the IAF and state choppers from various places in Himachal

Pradesh's rain ravaged Kinnaur tribal district cut off by road due to landslides.

Over 550 persons have been airlifted during past three days and 400 people, who are still stranded, remain to

be evacuated, Deputy Commissioner Kinnaur, Capt J M Pathania said.

Thirteen sorties were conducted for evacuating 301 persons from Sangla, Reckong Peo, Pooh, Nako and

Gyabong, who were brought to Rampur, he said, adding efforts were afoot to airlift the remaining 400

persons.

Pathania said teams comprising of officers of Revenue, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry and

other departments had been constituted at sub divisional level to assess the loss caused due to natural disaster.

Four teams each in Pooh Division and Kalpa and Nichar had been constituted and they had been asked to

submit the report within two weeks to provide all possible assistance to the affected people, he said.

National Disaster Response Force had been sent to Ropa Kanda area for carrying out rescue and

rehabilitation of about 12 shepherds along with their herd, Pathania said. Meanwhile, Chief Minister

Virbhadra Singh, who reviewed the situation at a meeting in Mandi, said heavy damages were reported in

various parts of the state due to incessant rains, landslides and snow, particularly in Kinnaur, which suffered

maximum loss of life, damage to roads and property.

The state experienced 155 per cent excess rainfalls and normal life was badly disrupted in Kinnaur and


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Claiming that the number of calamity victims must run into thousands, he said a proper estimate of the losses

must be prepared and made public.

Former Bihar Minister and BJP legislator Ashwini Chaubey, who also accompanied Singh, said he was

stranded in Kedarnath for three days and his cries for help fell on deaf ears.

Terming the claims being made by the state government on the rescue measures being adopted as devoid of

substance, Chaubey said two of his relatives were killed in the calamity and five of his kin are still missing.

8.04 pm: PM appeals for donations to support victims

As the magnitude of tragedy caused in Uttarakhand continues to unfold, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

today issued an appeal to the public for generous donations to support the victims who have suffered

"extensive devastation".

In his appeal, Singh said the central government is extending all cooperation and assistance to the state

government in rescue and relief operations.

He said "extensive devastation" has been caused due to cloudbursts and floods in the state and a large number

of people have died and property worth crores of rupees has been damaged.

"At this moment, affected people need our help to tide over the calamity that has fallen upon them, to survive

and to rebuild their lives. I request all citizens of India to stand with our distressed fellow countrymen, and

actively participate in the national effort to support them at this difficult time," the Prime Minister said.

"I appeal to all citizens to donate generously to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund," he said.

The appeal comes against the backdrop of the Prime Minister's announcement of Rs 1000 for rescue and

relief operations in the state.

7.46 pm: Dehradun District Magistrate praises Indian Air force for relief work

Dehradun District Magistrate BB Purushottam said that the Indian Air force has done a wonderful job in

rescuing stranded people from flood hit areas of Uttarakhand.

" The Indian Air force has done a wonderful job. Five more MI 17 helicopters have been deployed. We are

coming up with a temporary helipad in temp helipad Gaudigaon. There is one place two kilometres where

choppers are unable to reach because of a 70 degree angle," he told Times Now.

"More than 2,000 people are stranded between Uttarkashi and Guptkashi. We hope to airlift them in the next

two-three days. The air force will set up a detachment by tomorrow allowing us to save more lives," he said.

6.51 pm: Jairam Ramesh announces Rs 340 cr for Uttarakhand

Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh today announced a separate Rs 340 crore special package for

Uttarakhand for constructing village roads in the flood-ravaged hill state.

In view of the calamity, the Rural Development Ministry is also working for giving special assistance to

Uttarakhand for constructing village houses under its ambitious Indira Awas Yojana (IAY).

The minister's decision came a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced a Rs 1,000 crore special


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He blamed the state government for the situation and said, "Dead bodies were floating inside the temple.

There is no help from state government. I have never seen such calamity in my life. More than 15000 to

20000 people have died," Chaubey said.

4.59 pm: Govt will deploy more helicopters in U'Khand, says Shinde

Government has decided to deploy more helicopters in Uttarakhand to rescue over 60,000 people still trapped

in the rain-ravaged hill state and expedite relief operations.

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said so far 22 helicopters have been used to evacuate stranded people to

safer locations and through hundreds of sorties they rescued 22,392 people.

"But 22 helicopters are not enough. So, we have requested the Defence Ministry to deploy more helicopters

to expedite the rescue operations in Uttarakhand. The Defence Ministry agreed to our request and hopefully

the additional choppers will be deployed soon," he told reporters here.

4. 48 pm: Naveen Patnaik too sends in Rs 5 cr for victims

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik too sent in Rs 5 crore as assitance for the flood affected Uttarakhand.

4. 41 pm: Nitish Kumar contributes Rs 5 cr for flood victims

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today contributed Rs five crore for relief work among the victims of the

Uttarakhand flash flood.

A state government officer has gone to Dehradun with the cheque of Rs five crore on the instruction of the

chief minister, Anjani Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to the CM, said.

Kumar has made this contribution from the Chief Minister Relief fund, he said adding the chief minister has

expressed his deep condolence for the victims of the natural calamity in the mountain state.

Hundreds of people from Bihar are among those trapped in the flash flood in Uttarakhand. BJP leader

Ashwani Kumar Choubey is among them.

4.32 pm: Chhattisgarh sends chopper to bolster rescue efforts

In a bid to bolster the rescue effort in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh's BJP government Thursday

said it would send a 12-seater hired helicopter to Dehradun to rescue people stranded there by floods and

landslips.

"The chopper will begin an intensive rescue drive in the flood- and landslide-hit Uttarakhand from 7.30 am

onwards Friday," a top state government official said, adding that "the decision to deploy the chopper inUttarakhand was taken on the special initiative of Chief Minister Raman Singh."

Reports say many people from Chhattisgarh travelling in Uttarakhand as pilgrims were either dead or missing

since last weekend, when the Himalayan state was hit by an unprecedented flash-flood that set off landslides.

The Chhattisgarh government has also announced assistance of Rs.5 crore to Uttarakhand.

4.18 pm: DG ITBP says all efforts being taken to rescue stranded people


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DG ITBP Ajay Chaddha said that the force is making all efforts to rescue stranded people.

"About 1,000 ITBP personnel have been deployed. All people in and around Kedarnath have been evacuated.

Our first priority is women and children," he said.

Chaddha said that connectivity is the biggest challenge that the ITBP is facing in the rescue operations.

4:05 pm: Rajnath Singh says Uttarakhand floods are a national calamity

After a aerial survey of the flood ravaged areas of Uttarakhand, BJP party chief Rajnath Singh said more

relief measures were needed.

"The Uttarakhand situation should be declared a national disaster.The number of helicopters should be

increased," the BJP President said.

The BJP president said that they were not indulging in a blame game.

"This situation is not for blame game,we are willing to help the Uttarakhand government in anyway possible,"

Singh said.

3. 43 pm: State government declares 3-day state mourning

The Uttarakhand government today declared a three-day state mourning in view of the calamity triggered by

incessant rains in the state.

"Massive damages have been caused to life and property by the flash floods and landslides brought by

torrential rains in their wake.A three-day state mourning from June 20-22 has been declared in view of the

tragedy," Secretary, Administration, S S Negi said.

The tricolour will fly at half-mast on government buildings and institutions during the period.

No inaugural or ceremonial functions will be held across the state during the period, he said. (PTI)

3. 38 pm: List of roads that have been opened for vehicular traffic

The Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre today reopened many roads blocked by landslides including

Joshimath-Karnaprayag, Rishikesh-Uttarakshi, Dharasu-Chamba,Gochar,Rudraparayag-Shrinagar-Rishikesh,

Pauri-Kotdwar, Guptkashi-Mayali-Tibtiya-Tehri, Uttarkashi-Chinyalisaur, Karnaparayag-Ranikhet-

Kathgodam, Dharasu-Badkot- Damra-Dehradun.

Other roads which have been reopened are Mayali-Tiwara-Rudraprayag, Chainyalisaur-Subakholi

-Mussoorie, Ghansali-Tipri-Devprayag, Ghansali- Tipri- New Tehri, Tehri-Chamba-Mussorie, Chamba-Rishikesh and Tuni-Chakrata-Sahiya-Kalsi-Dehradun. (PTI)

3. 25 pm: Priority is relief and rescue, says Centre

Amid reports of rapid urbanisation leading to flash floods in Uttarakhand, Central government on Friday said

its priority was to focus on relief and rescue operations in the rain-ravaged hill state and "post-mortem can be

done later".

"It is not necessary to get into that. The post-mortem can be done later," I&B Minister Manish Tewari told


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reporters. He was responding to a volley of questions on whether unregulated development in the hills or

faulty weather forecasts were responsible for the magnitude of the devastation due to heavy rainfall in

Uttarakhand.

Tewari said the Centre has given top priority to relief and rescue operations and has been coordinating with

the state government in this regard.

He also asked political parties, "who are quick with advice," to try and mobilise their cadre and contribute

towards relief efforts in the affected state. (PTI)

3. 10 pm: Taking measures to bring stranded TN tourists home, says Jaya

About 400 tourists from Tamil Nadu are stranded in rain-ravaged Uttarakhand and government would take all

steps on "war-footing basis" to bring them back, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said today.

However, she said the people from Tamil Nadu were 'safe'.

After chairing a review meeting at the Secretariat, the chief minister said in a statement that a high level

committee, headed by the Government of Tamil Nadu special representative at New Delhi, has been formed

that would leave for Dehradun to bring the pilgrims back to Tamil Nadu.

2:20 pm: Supreme Court directs Centre and Uttarakhand govt to ensure rescue of those affected byfloods

The Supreme Court has also got involved in the rescue of people stranded due to the flooding in Uttarakhand

and has directed the Centre and Uttarakhand state government to make an "all-out effort" to rescue them.

The centre and state government have been directed to provide adequate helicopters for the rescue work.

The apex court also directed the Centre and state government to file a report on the relief and rehabilitation

work in the state by June 25.

However, it's still not clear in what context the Supreme Court issued these directions.

2:10 pm: Madhya Pradesh sends team of doctors to Uttarakhand

A seven-member special team from Madhya Pradesh today reached Dehradun to coordinate

with Uttarakhand officials for relief and rescue operations.

The decision to dispatch the special team, led by public relations minister Laxmikant Sharma, was taken by

state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan yesterday after visiting Haridwar and having a word with his

Uttarakhand counterpart Vijay Bahuguna, official sources said.

The team comprising officials and doctors will set up a control room for people from MP at Haridwar and

extend all possible assistance to them for retuning home.

After reviewing updated information from Uttarakhand at the emergency meeting called by Chouhan, the

government decided to send the special team. (PTI)

2:00 pm: 1800 out of 2100 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh missing


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IBN7 reports that the Andhra Pradesh state has declared that there are 1800 pilgrims from the state who are

still missing.

https://twitter.com/IBN7/status/347633442999128064

1. 15 pm: Uttarakhand CM heckled by protesters

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna was reportedly heckled by protesters in Joshimath, were he had

gone to visit the rescued pilgrims.

The protesters shouted slogans against him and claimed they got no assistance from the government.

1. 10 pm: Rescue operations on in Himachal

Meanwhile, in Himachal Pradesh, rescue operations picked up pace in rain-battered tribal Kinnaur district

with two IAF and one state chopper making sorties to rescue 600 tourists and others stranded in remote areas.

The sorties started at 6.30 am in the morning and people stranded at various places for past five days are

being dropped at Rampur, official sources said.

The sorties to Sangla, Rekong Peo, Nako, Pooh and other cut off places would continue till the evening and a

large number of people are expected to be evacuated by the evening.

12. 50 pm: Army to setup temporary helipads in Uttarakhand

An Army official has said that they will deploy a force of 100 paratroopers on the Gaurikund Somprayag road

to assist rescue operations.

The Army also plans to set-up temporary helipads in Uttarakhand to facilitate rescue operations in the area.

12. 40 pm: All necessary help will be provided, says Manish Tewari

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Manish Tewari said that the government is cognizant to the

situation prevalent in Uttarakhand as well as other parts of the country and the central government will be

there to provide all help needed.

He further said that required man power and material has been provided to try and alleviate the situation as

early as possible.

Tiwari was speaking after a Cabinet meeting today.

11. 45 am: Kedarnath road completely destroyed

IBN7's Punit Tripathi sends in this report from Rudraprayag: The Alaknanda river has caused a lot of damage

in the Rudraprayag area. Bridges and whole villages have been washed away. The road to Kedarnath has

been destroyed. Even if repair work starts on the road, it will take months to fix. This entire route is extremely

dangerous.

Helpline numbers:

Karnataka Residents' helpline: 080 22253707


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Tehri Helpline no: 01376 233433

Chamoli helpline no: 01372 251437

Uttarkashi helpline no: 01374 226161

Army helpline no: 1800-180-5558 / 1800 -4190282

11. oo am: Weather, limited landing conditions hampering rescue operations

Director General of ITBP Ajay Chaddha said that there are currently ten private choppers and around 7-8

IAF choppers pressed into service. As of now, they are enough as weather and landing conditions are limited.

He also said that there was no lack of manpower for now and all rescue teams are working together, but

operations will take time as only a maximum of five people can travel during a sortie.


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10:10 am: Weather clears, IAF begins sorties

IBN7's Smita Sharma reports that the weather is clearing up in Uttarakhand and relief air operations have

commenced again on upper the reaches to rescue stranded people.

9. 50 am: IAF choppers to make rescue attempts again

Air Commodore Rajesh Issar has said that rescue operations will resume as soon as the weather conditions at

Jolly Grant airport improve. There are also 10 choppers on standby at Sarsawa.

At 6, 45am, rescue attempts were made, five aircraft were airborne but they had to return due to bad weather.

The choppers are making attempts again and hopefully the IAF should be able to push out ten craft in the first

go.

Issar also said that the three main affected valleys are Haasil, Kedarnath (worst affected) and Badrinath (not

grim).

The main focus for rescue operations is Kedarnath valley, where according to estimates, thousands of people

are stranded. Issar also thanked the district administration for providing all necessary supplies.

In the last 24 hours, more than 500 people have been evacuated and another 500 could be evacuated today.

9. 37 am: Kedarnath area is worst affected, says IAF

Harsil sector, which includes Kedarnath, Badrinath are the worst affected areas.Kedarnath has been cleared,

but people from upper areas are reaching there. Another 500 people are expected to be rescued today.

By tomorrow, all critical evacuation from Kedarnath will be completed, an IAF official said.

9. 35 am: Uttarakhand CM headed to Switzerland?

Despite the fact that rescue operations continue to be hampered by bad weather and thousands remain

stranded, is Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna heading to Switzerland next week?

According to a report in the Indian Express, the Chief Minister has a trip that was planned before the flash

floods in the state in which he was to visit the European nation in the company of his wife and some state

officials.

Given that its an an official trip, Bahuguna's office had sought clearance from the Ministry of ExternalAffairs.

After the floods ravaged the state, the Ministry had expected Bahuguna's office to inform them that he would

cancel the trip, but as of Wednesday they had not received any word to that effect. Therefore the Ministry

has gone ahead and cleared the trip.

So was this just a case of his office forgetting to inform the Ministry of External Affairs, or does Bahaguna

really think that the situation is so under control that he can fly out? Or subsequently does he think that he has

nothing to contribute by staying in his flood ravaged state?


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9. 30 am: Road to Uttarkashi re-opens, thousands on their way out

In great news for those stranded in Uttarkashi, the road leading to Uttarkashi, which was blocked due to

incessant rains and floods, has been re-opened and thousand of stranded pilgrims are on their way out.

9. 25 am: Uttarakhand Tourism Minister chopper returns due to bad weather

Uttarakhand Tourism Minister, who was travelling by a chopper to over see rescue operations, had to return

back to Dehradun following bad weather. Rescue operations by IAF have also been suspended following bad

weather in the area.

9. 15 am: 100 Paratroupers at Gaurikund

the Army has sent a hundred paratroupers to Gaurikund to help rescue stranded pilgrims. Medical help is also

being provided to those rescued.

The Army has issued a helpline number for stranded passengers in Uttarakhand: 18004190282

9. oo am: IAF operations suspended following bad weather

IAF rescue operations from Jolly Grant in Dehradun have been suspended for now following bad weather in

Uttarakhand. There were light showers reported early this morning.

There have been no sorties since this morning.

Meanwhile, in an embarrassment to operation Rahat, IAF choppers sent in for rescue operations ran out of

fuel and were stranded in Dehradun.

First person accounts of relatives looking for family members

Another relative Nikhil Patel has travelled to Dehradun from Surat, Gujarat in search of his family members.

Eight of his relatives are stuck near Gaurikund while travelling towards Kedarnath - where he says there is an

island like situation. He says they were stuck five days ago and they have received no help or food packets as

yet.

Dhruv Dubey, a tour operator of Gayatri Tourism from Sidpur, Gujarat has said he and others travelling with

him have managed to trek down from Kedarnath and have reached a little ahead of Rambara.

Initially, he was travelling with 150 people, of which 60 who are with him now are safe. Most of them are

from Patan, Mehsana and Banaskantha.

Parsumran Shastri is also safe and is now close to Berkot, and Brijesh Acharya, who is close to Badrinath.


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A

combination picture of the Patels, who travelled from Surat, Gujarat.

08. 10 am: IAF choppers out of fuel

In a major embarrassment to Operation Rahat, the IAF choppers deployed to airlift passengers have run out

of fuel. The choppers were to assist tourists in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

08. 00 am: Water level of Yamuna recedes

Army doctors at Dehradun airport. Image: Smita Sharma

The water level of Yamuna river has receded marginally overnight from 207.30 to 207.26, bringing in some

relief for those living along the river bed in Delhi.

07. 45 am: Army medical batch at Dehradun

A batch of 100 Special Army medical personnel have reached Dehradun airport. They will be move to

Rudraprayag and forward areas to assist in rescue operations.

07 . 30 am: Kailash Mansarovar Yatra cancelled


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The government has cancelled the Kailash Manasarove Yatra after authorities declared roads unsafe for use.

Updates for 19 June end

10.00 pm: Death toll reaches 150, likely to rise

The terrible magnitude of nature's fury in Uttarakhand unfolded today as the death toll rose to 150 with fears

that it may go up substantially as large parts the area remained under water while hundreds of houses and

buildings lay in ruins.

Skies cleared today enabling stepping up of rescue and relief operations but the efforts were hampered by the

vast destruction of the roads caused by landslides and flash floods that damaged hundreds of houses,

buildings, hotels and government guest houses.

Several thousand pilgrims from across the country are still stranded in the state as reports came that the

Kedarnath temple, one of the four holy dhams, was intact but the temple complex and the Rambada area

around it have suffered total destruction.

6.01 pm: PM announces Rs 1000 cr relief fund for Uttarakhand

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh after an aerial survey of the Kedarnath area in Uttarakhand along with Sonia

Gandhi said that they saw was distressing and rescuing the stranded was of the utmost priority. He also

announced a relief of Rs 1,000 crore for the state of Uttarakhand.

"Our hearts go out to persons who have lost members of their family and property. Priority for authorities is to

rescue the stranded and provide aid to those who need it," said Manmohan Singh.

He said that ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh each will be provided to the kin of those who have died and Rs

50,000 each to those who have been injured. He said the Prime Minister's relief fund will also give Rs 1 lakh

to people whose house have perished completely and Rs 50,000 to the people whose houses have been

damaged.

Singh said, "The Centre and states will work in close co-ordination to not only rescue affected persons but

also help them rebuild their lives."

5.15 pm: Burning issue is to rescue my people, says Vijay Bahuguna

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna on Wednesday told the press that the burning issue is to rescue

his people.


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] An aerial view of Kedarnath submerged in flood

waters. AP

Pointing out to environmentalists that it was the dams that prevented large areas from being washed away he

said, "The burning issue today is how do I rescue people, how do I rehabilitate them, how do I compensate

them."

Bahuguna also said that though the Kedarnath temple is safe the city is in debris.

4.52 pm: PM to meet Uttarakhand CM

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who conducted an aerial survey of flood stricken Uttarakhand along with

Congress President Sonia Gandhi, will meet Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna in an hour to review

rescue and relief operations in the flood affected areas of the state.

The premier reached Dehradun at around 3 pm to conduct a tour of flood stricken areas.

4.40 pm: Our first priority is to save all lives, says RPN Singh

MoS Home RPN Singh on Wednesday said that the first priority of the government is to save all the lives that

are in danger due to the floods in Uttarakhand, especially in an around Kedarnath.

In a retort to Sushma Swaraj's statement that thousands are stuck without help in the area, he said, "I don't

want to politicise the flood situation. The Centre will help the state govt in whatever way possible."

He said, "Army, paramilitary forces doing exemplary rescue work. We will do whatever it takes to get people

out of difficult situations."

He also said there is no point discussing what could have been done and all political parties should work

towards it.

"State govts have told us there is no shortage of food. We are airdropping food packets," he said and added,

"Many have been rescued from in and around Kedarnath, some have been airlifted. Various agencies are

evacuating pilgrims."

First person account of Vikas Bajaj who's looking for news of his family


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Vikas Bajaj, who is looking for any news about his family. Image: Smita

Sharma/IBN7

Among the many stranded in the flood-hit areas of Uttarakhand is a family of 17 from Akola district,

Maharashtra. Vikas Bajaj, is desperately looking out for his family members, including elder brother Manoj

Bajaj and his wife.

The last communication Vikas had with his family was on 17 June at around 1 pm. They were returning from

Kedarnath and had reached Rambara, when it started raining. Since then he has had no contact with them.

Trekked back 25 kms, family in a state of trauma

The

Pandeys who have made it back to Dehradun safely. Image: Smita Sharma/IBN7

Another family from Bhagalpur - the Pandeys - have safely made it back from Kedarnath. The family of fourhad stared their journey back early 15 June. The Pandeys have reached Dehradun after trekking back 25 kms.

The family is still in a state of trauma.

3. 00 pm: PM, Sonia reach Dehradun for aerial survey

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi have reached Dehradun for an aerial

survey of the flood-affected areas of Uttarakhand.

3. 15 pm: No rain in Uttarakhand for next two days


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In what comes as a great sigh of relief, the Meteorological Department today announced that there will be no

rain in Uttarakhand for the next two days. This comes in as a positive sign for rescue operations that are being

carried out 24X7 by Army, IAF, NDRF and ITBP officials.

2. 55 pm: Authorities apprehensive of media coverage

Meanwhile, authorities in flood-hit areas seem apprehensive of allowing sorties for media personnel to

Kedarnath. Officials are apprehensive that the media may exaggerate flood conditions in their reports.

Though, on the contrary, there is no media presence yet on the ground in Gaurikund, Kedarnath sector

leading to further misinformation and panic.

IBN7 Associate Editor Smita Sharma reports that while the IAF is willing to take journalists up to the higher

reaches, it is the DM Purushottam and DG Information Vinod Sharma who are passing the buck.

2. 45 pm: MP govt announces 5 crore relief fund for Uttarakhand

Madhya Pradesh Government has announced a Rs 5 crore relief fund for Uttarakhand. Chief Minister Shivraj

Singh Chauhan came to Dehradun, took stock of tourists from MP stuck here, and left, IBN7 Associate Editor

Smita Sharma reports.

2. 30 pm: Mi 17 choppers may be used to drop medical, water supplies in flood-hit areas

IBN7 Associate Editor Smita Sharma, who is in Uttarakhand told Firstpost that most relief choppers are taking

off from Jolly Grant Dehradun and Sarsawa airport near Saharanpur is on standby.

IAF sources have also said that Lighter ALH Helicopters could be used to take it to upper reaches, narrower

valley areas.

IAF Mi 17s may also be used to take medical and water supplies to Gauchar (ITBP) post and Dharasu in

Uttarkashi.

At some places where immediate evacuation is not possible because of landing problems, NDRF personnel

are being dropped to provide interim relief till weather and road conditions improve.

1. 4o pm: 22 dead in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh

NDTV reports that 22 people have been killed in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh due to incessant rains and flash

floods. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand CM Vijay Bahuguna will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this evening.

1. 35 pm: Maharashtra govt to give Rs 10 crore to Uttarakhand

The Maharashtra government has decided to provide Rs 10 crore as relief fund to the Uttarakhand state

government.

Maharashtra will also send a special plane to bring back stranded pilgrims from Uttarakhand.

Meanwhile, 18 choppers have been pressed into service and over 4 tonnes of relief material has been air

dropped in Uttarakhand, IAF officials told CNN-IBN.

1. 15 pm: Temple staff missing, dharamshalas destroyed, says temple official


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Kedarnath-Badrinath committee president has told CNN-IBN that at least 20 of its staff members are missing

in the floods. "The temple premises has not been destroyed.. 20 of our staff are missing."

He further said that Dharamshalas around the temple have been destroyed by the floods.

12. 50 pm: Flood situation is a national disaster, says Rajnath

BJP President Rajnath Singh said the flood situation in Uttarakhand is a national disaster.

"Central and state governments must make all efforts to rescue people and provide immediate assistance," he

said.

Helpline numbers:

Uttarkashi: 01374-226126, 226161

Chamoli: 01372-251437

Tehri: 01376-233433

Rudraprayag: 01732-1077

The ITBP has also established helpline and control room for information on Uttrakhand: 011-24362892 and

9968383478.

12. 15 pm: Air evacuation currently on, says IG, NDRF

Sandeep Rathore, IG, NDRF said 390 people were rescued last night and air evacuation is currently being

carried out. "Road conditions are bad but they are being repaired and we will be able to rescue more people

today," he said.


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11. 40 am: PM directs Food Minister to supply food to flood hit areas

The Congress Core Group meeting today discussed the Uttarakhand flood situation. Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh has directed Food Minister KV Thomas to ensure that food supplies reach those affected.

11. 34 am: Aid being sent to flood affected areas: Shinde

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said rescue aid is being sent to the flood affected areas and Prime

Minister Manmohan Singh as well as UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will tour the affected areas at 2 pm thisafternoon.

"There are 14 NDRF teams at work and over 4000 people have been rescued by the Army and 62, 000 are

still stranded. Food packets and blankets have been sent, local doctors have been arranged at the areas... we

are also setting up a Control center in Badrinath," Shinde said.

11. 23 am: Situation in Uttarakhand better today: Chidambaram

Finance Minister P Chidambaram said that the flood situation in Uttarakhand was better today.


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danger mark.

9.14 am: Rescue officials hope to complete Kedarnath rescue operations by noon

The Uttarakhand Disaster Management executive has said that the organisation hopes to finish all rescue

work in Kedarnath by this afternoon. Speaking to CNN-IBN, the director said that as many as 14 choppers

would be utlised in Ramban and Kedarnath.

Rains have ceased in the state, but there is still ever present danger from landslides, officials said.

8. oo am: Yamuna rises above danger mark, set to cross 207 metres today

The Water level in the Yamuna is set to rise over 207 metres - the highest the river has touched in 35 years.

The Yamuna crossed the danger mark in Delhi on Tuesday and the water level is expected to rise further

today when the water from the Hathnikund barrage reaches the capital.

Over 1,500 people have been evacuated from low-lying areas in east Delhi like Usmanpur, Yamuna Bazar,

Bhajanpura and Shastri Park and relief camps have been set up for their shelter.

7. 15 am: Haryana announces Rs 10 cr relief for Uttarakhand

Haryana government on Tuesday announced Rs 10 crore for relief work in Uttarakhand hit by heavy rains

and landslides.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda talked to his Uttarakhand counterpart Vijay Bahuguna and said that

the relief amount would be given to the state tomorrow, an official spokesman said.


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