Dehradun:
As Uttarakhand focuses on rebuilding lives, the Meteorological department has warned of heavy rain over the next couple of days. Garhwal and Kumaon area 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.
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.
Authorities fear that fresh spell of rain could impact the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
More than Over 3,500 people are still missing in the state, according to the National Disaster Management Authority or NDMA. However, NDMA Vice-Chairman Shashidhar Reddy said yesterday that the number of missing could reach 11,000. (
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The Air Force yesterday evacuated the last batch of pilgrims from the temple town of Badrinath, more than a fortnight after heavy rains devastated the state. (
Read) Local authorities, however, say that around 150 locals, mostly women and children, are still stuck there and have requested to be evacuated. Evacuations will start soon as weather permits, officials 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.
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.