Dehradun:
The National Disaster Management Authority or NDMA today said that it was premature to call off rescue operations as pilgrims are still stranded in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand.
Here are the 10 latest developments:
NDMA said 150-200 locals, mostly women and children, have requested to be evacuated in Badrinath. Evacuations will start soon as weather permits.
More than over 3,500 people are still missing in the state. However, NDMA Vice-Chairman Shashidhar Reddy said yesterday that the number of missing could reach 11,000.
As the state focuses on rehabilitation, the Meteorological department has warned of heavy rains over the next couple of days.
Garhwal and Kumaon areas witnessed heavy downpour this morning and officials have been asked to monitor the situation closely. The local authorities have alerted people for any eventuality and villagers have been asked to stay away from river banks.
Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna today said, "I am going to Haridwar. There is danger that water level is rising and may come in the villages."
Authorities fear that some of the roads, which had just opened, could again be blocked because of landslides. Officials from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and the Public Works Department (PWD) have been asked to see if there is any damage.
Officials said taking relief material to remote villages due to poor connectivity is a major problem.
Though choppers are being used for the purpose the exercise is confined to just a few areas, they said.
Extrication of bodies at Kedarnath, the worst hit in the tragedy, also remains a concern for authorities because of the bad weather.
Thirty six bodies have been cremated so far. Nearly 1000 people have died so far, and the toll is expected to rise further.
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