As the magnitude of tragedy caused in Uttarakhand continues to unfold, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has issued an appeal to the public for generous donations to support the victims who have suffered “extensive devastation.”
In his appeal, Dr. Singh said the central government is extending all cooperation and assistance to the state government in rescue and relief operations. He said “extensive devastation” has been caused due to cloudbursts and floods in the state and a large number of people have died and property worth crores of rupees has been damaged.
“At this moment, affected people need our help to tide over the calamity that has fallen upon them, to survive and to rebuild their lives. I request all citizens of India to stand with our distressed fellow countrymen, and actively participate in the national effort to support them at this difficult time,” the Prime Minister said.
“I appeal to all citizens to donate generously to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund,” he said. The appeal comes against the backdrop of the Prime Minister’s announcement of Rs 1000 for rescue and relief operations in the state.
Cabinet Sec reviews Uttarakhand operations:
Cabinet Secretary Ajit Kumar Seth held a review meeting on Thursday with top central and Uttarakhand government officials and issued directions to speed up rescue operations in the flood-ravaged state.
The Secretary also instructed BSNL to repair mobilephone towers in the state and restore telephony in the next few days.
A statement issued after the meeting said that coordinated efforts are being made to provide succour to the stranded pilgrims, tourists and locals by multiple agencies like Defence, ITBP, BRO, NDRF and state government departments.
“The government of India is supplementing the efforts of the state government for requirement of food, medicines and fuel, wherever required.
The statement said “39 helicopters from the Air Force and Army airlifted about 2,000 people despite cloudy weather. The airlifting operations will resume by early Friday morning”.
“BSNL has been directed to immediately repair the telephone towers to restore communication in the next 2-3 days.
About 8,000 tonnes of foodgrains are available with the state Government. Arrangements to ensure fuel availability have also been made,” it said.
Rescue operatins on: 45 Army, IAF choppers; 10,000 troops deployed in U’khand
Meanwhile stepping up relief and rescue operations in Uttarakhand, the Defence Ministry has deployed more than 45 choppers belonging to the Army and the IAF there along with more than 10,000 troops in the rain-ravaged parts of the hill state.
IAF has deployed 20 Mi-17s and 16 Advanced Light Helicopters in the state where they have evacuated over 1,500 people. Army has also deployed over 8,000 of its troops there along with over 3,000 personnel of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Defence Ministry officials said.
Defence Minister A K Antony is monitoring the situation and has directed the armed forces to extend maximum possible support in the operations, they said.
The Ministry said BRO has also been successful in reopening the important road axis from Rishikesh to Joshimath along with several other major roads in the last 48 hours.
The Army has also deployed over 100 Special Forces troops in Kedarnath and Sonprayag area, which is cut-off till now, to link up with people who have been stranded there for last four to five days, they said.
“The Army has so far rescued more than 11,000 people, mainly from Govindghat and Harsil. About 10,000 people are also being provided food and medical assistance,” an Army release said.
The Army has also launched a column of its units in Kumaon region where more than 50-60 people have been stranded on Pindari Glacier and Sunder Dunga Glacier.
“An Army column led by two officers and 77 soldiers reached Kapkot in Bageshwar district this morning. The column is currently moving by foot towards Gumla and is expected to reach both the glaciers and likely to link up with people by June 21,” Army spokesperson Virendra Singh said.
Army jawans also rescued 11 members and 43 porters of a mountain expedition from Arva Tal on Gangotri-Mana axis and have brought them safely to Ghastoli from where they will be relocated to Badrinath after medical aid.
“Communication nodes have been established at Gaucher, Harsil, Joshimath and Rudraprayag to enable people to contact their families. 30 satellite phones have so far been set up and 20 more are likely to be used for benefit of stranded pilgrims,” Singh said.
Both Army and IAF are trying to establish landing grounds for their aircraft in forward regions for evacuating larger number of people from there.
IAF is looking at the possibility of landing its C-130J Special Operations aircraft at Gauchar to quickly deploy more relief material and personnel, and evacuate more people.
“Army is carrying out reconnaissance to examine the feasibility of making a larger helipad at Gagaria on Hemkund Sahib axis so that large number of people can be evacuated using MI-17 helicopters,” Singh said.