Uttarakhand rescue work set to wind up | IAF, Army teams to stay on

Army and Indian Air Force teams will remain in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand even as rescue operations in the state are all set to come to an end as most of those stranded have been taken out safely. The Uttarakhand government has told the Supreme Court that it is hoping to complete rescue operations in the state by Saturday. The state government also said that exact number of the dead can be correctly ascertained after the rescue and recovery phase is over.

Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, who visited the flood-hit state on Friday, said that while the rescue teams are aiming to complete the rescue work by Saturday, the Air Force rescue teams will stay on in Uttarakhand for 15 more days for relief operations. He also said rescue work is on in full swing and those stranded in Badrinath will also be rescued soon.

"There are people in Badrinath. Priority has been given to take out people who are unwell, handicapped, elderly people, women, children and then get the youth and others. The estimate is that in two days the operations should be complete," Shinde said. He also said that there is still no clarity on how many bodies are buried below the debris.

Speaking on relief for the locals in Uttarakhand, Shinde said, "The locals have also been badly affected by the floods. The Chief Secretary has been told to list all the requirements of the state."

Army Chief General Bikram Singh also visited the state on Friday and complimented the armed forces for the rescue operations being carried out in the state. "It was a very difficult operation. What is to be appreciated is how all agencies in unison joined hands to save lives." He said his men will work till every stranded person is rescued.
The 20 security personnel who died in the rescue chopper crash in the state were also given a guard of honour in Dehradun. Shinde and General Singh were present during the guard of honour.

Meanwhile, another chopper crash landed in the state. Army spokesperson Brigadier Uma Maheshwar said a Pawan Hans rescue helicopter crash landed at Harsil. Luckily, no injuries or casualties were reported even as the tail portion of the chopper was damaged.

Earlier on Friday, rescue sorties in Joshimath were briefly halted as fog engulfed the helipad. However, the operations resumed as the fog cleared later in the day.
Even as the rescue operations are close to winding up, the Uttarakhand government has said that 3,000 people are still missing in the state. Many locals in the state too are awaiting relief. "The locals have also been badly affected by the floods. The Chief Secretary has been told to list all the requirements of the state," Shinde said.

Helplines:

Save the Children contact details:

Website : www.savethechildren.in
Phone : 011-42294900 / 66141335

Helpline numbers:

Uttarkashi: 01374-226126, 226161

Chamoli: 01372-251437

Tehri: 01376-233433

Rudraprayag: 01732-1077

The ITBP helpline and control room numbers: 011-24362892, 9968383478

Army medical emergency helpline numbers: 18001805558, 18004190282, 8009833388

Uttarakhand Helpline numbers: 0135-2710334, 2710335, 2710233

Railway helpline numbers at Haridwar: 09760534054/09760534055;

Dehradun: 01352622131;

Rishikesh: 01352434167

Special helpline numbers:

State Disaster Management Centre: 0135-2710334, 2710335, 2718401-04. Fax: 2718400, 6555523, 6555524

Others: 09755444486, 09808151240, 09837134399, 999779124, 9451901023, 9456755206, 9634535758

For more information, please see the website where details are available:

http://uk.gov.in

Email ID: relief-uk@nic.in

Haridwar Control Room Numbers: 01334-233727, 01334-265876, 01334-223999, 01334-226849

Contact Person Dr Naresh Chaudhary: 9837352202

Posted in: Life