FACT SHEET: Uttarakhand rescue and relief operations

govt of india• Despite bad weather which partially affected the air evacuation operations, the Army, ITBP, NDRF and BRO continued to press ahead with the relief and rescue activities.

Army: 

• The Army evacuated 1375 persons today of which 368 were from Harsil and rest from Badrinath.
• Tracks have been created from Harsil to Uttar Kashi to enable persons who are physically fit to walk down to Uttar Kashi and then proceed on vehicles.

IAF: 

• IAF did 115 sorties from Dharasu and 20 from Shimla to evacuate 1095 persons from Harsil. However, due to bad weather the operations were severely affected.

ITBP: 

• The ITBP evacuated 450 persons from Badrinath and 267 from Gangotri Maneri area.
• The ITBP combed the Bhairon Chetti area and ensured that there are no survivors there.

NDRF: 

• The NDRF rescued 120 persons today from Harsil. Dead bodies recovered in Kedarnath area were handed over to the local police.
• NDRF also confirmed that there are no survivors left in Kedarnath, Bhairon Chetti area.

BRO: 

• The BRO continued its operations to clear the passages between Tilwara and Rudra Prayag.
• The access between Gupt Kashi to Tehri was also cleared.

Petroleum: 

• The supplies of ATF, LPG and other commodities are comfortable to meet the requirements of the IAF as well as of the local population.

Telecommunications: 

• The BSNL has restored all its towers except four which are in Kedarnath, Dharchula, Augustya Muni and Narayan Bagar.
• Out of 72 telephone exchanges that were down 44 have been restored.
• 75 satellite phones are in use. Another 25 are being imported from Hong Kong for use by the agencies involved in rescue work.
• BSNL helpline numbers have received number of calls seeking information on location of missing persons.
• The private telecom operators have also set up similar helplines.

Railways: 

• Railways is running a train from Haridwar to Delhi at 2200 hrs. today.