In a significant rescue operation, approximately 70 pilgrims, trapped on their pilgrimage route to Madmaheshwar temple in Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag district, were evacuated safely on Wednesday. Helicopters and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel played a crucial role in this effort. With over 200 pilgrims stranded since Monday due to the collapse of a bridge at Bantoli in Gaundar village from heavy rains, the situation remains dire, but rescue operations have been relentless.
By Tuesday evening, 52 pilgrims had been aided to safety using ropes by SDRF staff. Wednesday’s efforts saw an additional 70 rescued via helicopter. Ukhimath Sub Divisional Magistrate Jitendra Verma remains hopeful, stating that if the weather permits, all stranded pilgrims could be rescued by Wednesday afternoon. Ensuring their well-being, adequate food provisions are in place at the Madmaheshwar temple, accompanied by medical assistance and a police sub-inspector onsite.
Supporting these operations, a makeshift helipad has been established at Nanu Khark, approximately seven kilometres from the temple. From here, evacuees are airlifted to Ransi village and thereafter continue on foot to their destinations.
In a related but tragic event in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, a two-story house collapsed near Joshimath in Helang due to land subsidence. This mishap led to the unfortunate deaths of two Nepalese nationals, Anmol (19) and Prince (21). Taking place around 8 pm on Tuesday, seven individuals were inside the house at the time. Post-collapse, rescue efforts were immediate, and while one individual died at the site, another succumbed to injuries on Wednesday morning. Five survivors were pulled from the debris, but two remain in critical condition. The house, perilously constructed near a crusher unit by the Andalusians river, housed workers of the unit. With the monsoon intensifying, land subsidence in the Joshimath region has worsened, resulting in considerable damage earlier this year.
