Rudraprayag: Rescue and search operation on Kedarnath Yatra route is continuing for the fifth day on Monday as well. Around 133 people were airlifted so far by Chinook and MI this morning. Amidst clear weather, on Monday, air lift rescue started with the help of MI 17 and Chinook. The stranded pilgrims are being taken to Char Dham helipads from MI-17 while Chinook is airlifting them to Gaucher airstrip. These 133 pilgrims have been safely airlifted and rescued from Kedarnath.
Search operation completed in Lincholi and Rambada
Presently, the search operation has been completed from Lincholi to Rambada area in which no person has been confirmed to be found so far. On Monday morning, 100 people were sent from Kedarnath shrine to Linchauli helipad under the supervision of security forces. These passengers will be airlifted from Lincholi and landed at Shersi helipad. Along with this, NDRF teams are also continuously conducting search operations in the forest around the Mandakini river in Kedar valley.
A total of 1982 people have been airlifted, 9099 evacuated
According to secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, Vinod Kumar Suman, by 5pm on 3 August, 58 people from Kedarnath shrine, 1849 people from Bhimbali and Lyncholi and 75 people from Chidbasa (Gaurikund), thus a total of 1982 people have been airlifted. Besides, About 455 people have been evacuated from Bhimbali and Lyncholi via Chaumasi-Kalimath and about 6662 people have been evacuated safely from Gaurikund to Sonprayag. Thus, a total of 9099 people have been evacuated safely from 1 August to 3 August.
Around 400 people airlifted from Kedarnath on Sunday
Amid poor weather conditions, the rescue and search operations are continuing. Thick clouds in Kedarnath are causing poor visibility which is hampering the aerial rescue in the Kedarnath shrine. This is the reason, the Chinook helicopter provided by the Indian Air Force has not been able to fly even a single flight so far due to bad weather. Only 3 flights have been taken by the MI-17 helicopter so far, and through which only 60 people have been rescued. In such a situation, the state government is carrying out rescue operations with small helicopters. On 4 August, about 400 people were brought from Kedarnath to Linchauli on foot and from Linchauli they were brought to Char Dham helipads via helicopter. Currently, 5 helicopters have been deployed for rescue work.
A total of 2622 people airlifted, 7185 brought back on Sunday
Under this rescue operation, till evening on Sunday, 138 pilgrims from Kedarnath shrine, 2409 pilgrims from Linchauli and Bhimbali and 75 people from Chidbasa (Gaurikund), thus a total of 2622 people have been airlifted and brought to Char Dham helipad. So far, a total of 567 people have been brought to Chaumasi Kalimath by foot from Bhimbali and Linchauli. Similarly, a total of 7185 people have been brought back from Gaurikund to Sonprayag. Thus, a 10374 pilgrims have been brought back till 4 August.
No pilgrim is stranded at GauriKund
At present, about 350 passengers are staying in Kedarnath Dham. Apart from about 350 people in Kedarnath Dham, pilgrim priests, local shopkeepers, local residents, palanquin operators, horse mule operators etc are also staying here. At present, everyone has been rescued safely from Gaurikund as no pilgrim is left in Gaurikund.
Adequate supply of food material for stranded people
Meanwhile, adequate arrangements of food material are being made at all these places. So far 12600 food packets, 10570 water bottles, 1000 fruity, 1000 biscuit packets have been distributed in Sonprayag and lunch has been arranged for 1198 people and dinner for 250 people. 3200 food packets and 12860 water bottles in Sirsi. Similarly, about 18650 food packets and 27930 water bottles have been distributed so far at Munkatiya, Gaurikund Chardham helipad Chaumasi, Kedarnath helipad.