Rescue operations expected to be complete by Sunday: Manish Tewari

Kolkata/Delhi/Uttarakhand: In the wake of the massive floods that hit the Northern state of Uttarakhand where thousands are expected to be killed and stranded in different parts of the state, Information and Broadcasting Minister, Manish Tewari Saturday said “the rescue operation is likely to be over by tomorrow (Sunday)”. By far 70,000 people have been rescued and on Saturday itself 10,000 people have been rescued the minister added.

"556 bodies have been recovered and there were reports that more could be buried under the debris," Uttarakhand chief minister, Vijay Bahuguna said to a television channel.

The met-department has forecasted rain in next 48 hours which may adversely affect the rescue operation being carried out.

The Indian Army, Air Force, ITBP, BRO and NDRF are involved in the rescue operation.

Rescue and relief operations by Armed forces, at Gauri Kund, in Kedarnath valley, Uttarakhand.
Source: Dr. Manmohan Singh fb page. 

All together 61 helicopters have been pressed into the rescue operation of which 43 belong to IAF, 11 to Army and 7 are private; 2 more helicopters are expected to join the fleet on Sunday. IAF helicopters alone have done 150 sorties on Saturday alone.

Indian Army has deployed 6200 jawans and the BRO 4000 personnel and labours along with 90 excavators and bull dozers.  

Nine bridges have either been washed out or damaged and a total of about 13 km length of road at 100 places have been breached in the massive flood as per the assessment done by the BRO.

“BRO has mobilized about 15 excavators and Bull dozers from other BRO projects to expedite road clearance works.  Bridges has been airlifted to bridge gaps and establish early connectivity,” a defense ministry statement said Saturday.

“We have deployed 25 satellite phones and are expecting a consignment of 50 more from Congo to be delivered by today (Saturday) evening,” said a senior ITBP official.

According to official sources all pilgrims from Gangotri have been rescued, however 700 people are still stranded in Yamunotri.

NDRF has rescued 347 persons from Gauri Kund. 149 Sadhus remained there. They do not want to leave.

It is also being said that around 300-350 people are being expected to be stuck between Kedarnath and Gaurikund.

Army officials Saturday said the rescue priorities were senior citizen, women and children who are being airlifted and the able bodied people (in walking condition) were under the guidance of army personnel being brought to safe places on foot.

"Railways are moving people and relief supplies free of charge. No one is waiting at station at Haridwar," a statement from GoM (media) said.

It also said that 167 out of 287 communication towers were restored which will start working from tomorrow.