Uttarakhand floods: All pilgrims from Hemkunt Sahib evacuated

Chandigarh: Al pilgrims stranded at Hemkunt Sahib in flood ravaged Uttarakhand have been safely evacuated, Punjab state government officials said on Monday.

State Housing and Urban Development secretary A Venu Parsad, who is stationed at Rishikesh to oversee relief and rescue operations of pilgrims from Punjab said, till last night five thousand pilgrims have been safely dispatched to the state. Divulging details of rescue operations, DIG Punjab Police Khubi Ram said a fleet of 36 mini buses has been sent from Rishikesh to Joshi Math to bring back the stranded pilgrims. Punjab government has set up a base camp at Gurdwara Sahib in Rishikesh, which is 248 km from Joshi Math, Ram said adding that the Punjab Police is setting up its own wireless system at Joshi Math to enhance the communication network. Ten ambulances have been stationed at Joshi Math and Rishikesh by the government to provide immediate first aid to critically injured and other serious pilgrims and ferry them to nearby hospitals, he said. PTI