Uttarakhand Rescues 1,400 Stranded Pilgrims from Kedarnath Trek

New Delhi- The Uttarakhand government has said that more than 1,400 pilgrims who were stranded due to heavy rains on the Kedarnath trek route have been evacuated to safety.

According to the government, 136 pilgrims were rescued by state helicopters and 509 were taken to Lincholi on foot. From there, they were sent in helicopters to Chardham and Shersi helipads. While 136 pilgrims were rescued by IAF and state helicopters, 584 people were rescued from Gaurikund via Sonprayag and 172 others via Chaumasi, said Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman.

He said, "Most of the pilgrims have been brought to safety from Lincholi, Bhimbali and Gaurikund. More than 11,775 people have been shifted to safe places since the start of the rescue operations last Thursday. Only priests, shopkeepers, and horse and palanquin operators are now left in Kedarnath, apart from around 50 pilgrims who opted to stay there. Adequate arrangements for food, water and accommodation have been made for those moved to Sonprayag, Shersi, Chaumasi, Chardham helipad and Kedarnath helipad."

The Kedarnath trek route was washed away in many places due to the heavy rains and landslides on July 31. The route was also damaged at other places due to landslides. The Army has started the construction of a footbridge on the Sonprayag-Gaurikund road on the Kedarnath National Highway. It has also installed a trolley in Sonprayag for the movement of the differently abled, sick and the elderly.

" The work of restoration of roads and footpaths in Kedarghati has started rapidly. Construction of footpaths has started at various places under the supervision of the PWD team. At the same time, work has also started on the washout area and other damaged routes between National Highway Sonprayag to Gaurikund" a release from the CMO read.