AMN /
Relief and rescue operation is going on at war footing in the villages following heavy rains and cloud burst in Uttarakhand. Personnel of NDRF, SDRF, Army, ITBP, SSB and the state police and revenue department teams are engaged in this job.
The death toll in Pithoragarh and Chamoli districts of state has risen to 16. In 7 villages including Bastari under Didihat tehsil of Pithoragarh, 13 people have been rescued alive from the debris and they are under treatment in the hospital.
So far 10 dead bodies have been recovered, while about 17 people are still buried under the debris. In 4 villages of Chamoli district 6 people have been killed, while 3 others are missing.
Meanwhile, Rishikesh-Badrinath national highway is still blocked at some places. Gangotri and Yamunotri national highways have also been disruppted at several places in Uttarakashi district.
The BRO and PWD personnel are pressed into service to reopen all the three yatra routes. Almost all major rivers in the State are flowing near the danger marks. In view of this, the authorities have asked the people living in low lying areas to move to safer places.