Army braves inclement weather to rescue people trapped in Uttarkhand
24 Jun 2013
The Army continued its search, rescue and relief operations throughout the day despite inclement weather conditions, moving 281 people in the Badrinath sector by land route after the construction of Burma bridge across Alaknanda at Lam Bagar on the Joshimath-Badrinath road.
Army today created `Heli Bridge' at Lam Bagar in addition to the foot bridge and continued Heli shuttle service with two Army helicopters and three civil helicopter ferrying people from Badrinath today.
About 800 people moved towards Joshimath today with 450 using Heli Bridge and the balance using Burma Bridge.
Army aviators challenged the weather in Badrinath Valley to transport people in inclement weather conditions.
In Uttarkashi sector, MI 17 helicopters made 16 sorties evacuating 402 people helicopter from Harsil while 683 people reached Uttarkashi by foot. Land-based evacuation continued throughout the day. Army established staging areas stocked with food, water and medicines at Sukhi and Gagnani for the evacuees.
Following intermittent rainfall today, a number of land slides occurred on road Rishikesh-Rudraprayag although route ahead to Joshimath remained open. Approximately 1,400 people are awaiting evacuation at Harsil, 50 at Dharali and 60 at Jhala on Uttarkashi axis and approx 5,000 at Badrinath, an official release said, adding that the Army has established food distribution centres at Govindghat and Joshimath.
In the Kedarnath sector, Army special troops with mountaineering skills continued search and rescue operations to link up with stranded people, if any, between Jungle Chatti and Rama Bara.
Despite inclement weather conditions predicted for next two days, Army's relentless efforts to provide succor, rescue and relief will continue 24x7,. the release added.