'Pilgrims from State stranded in Uttarakhand are safe'

The Karnataka government is in constant touch with the Uttarakhand government and the rescue authorities to keep track of pilgrims from the State stranded in several places in the hill state due to heavy landslides triggered by incessant rainfall.

Home Minister K J George said he had asked the Home secretary and senior officials of the department to keep in constant touch with their counterparts in Uttarakhand.

“The Uttarakhand government has assured us that all efforts are being made for relief and rescue operation, and to airlift the pilgrims and tourists to safety,” Geogre, who was in Udupi told Deccan Herald over phone. Most of the piligrims stranded are those who were on their way to Kedarnath.

Home Department Principal Secretary V Umesh said the State government will soon furnish a list of pilgrims stranded in Uttarakhand to the authorities there.

“As per the information received this evening, as many as 500 pilgrims in various places in Uttarakhand, including several from Karnataka have been rescued, airlifted and moved to safety,” Umesh said.

Shobha, seer stranded

Former minister and KJP leader Shobha Karandlaje, said she and a group of pilgrims have been stranded at Budla village in Pipalidali near the Tehri Dam, in Rudraprayag since Sunday morning.

“A group of pilgrims are stranded on the road. People, including women, have been left with no option but to sleep on the road. No rescue operation is happening here,” Karandlaje told Deccan Herald over phone on Tuesday evening. Karandlaje was on her way for a pilgrimage to Uttarakashi.

“When the rain subsided a bit, we decided to move out only to get stranded here. The situation is bad,” Karandlaje said. She added the only way they could be rescued was by airlifting them as roads had been blocked due to landslides. Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, called Karandlaje and inquired about her safety.

Sri Raghavesha Bharathi Swami, the seer of Ramachandrapura Mutt in Hosanagar, Shimoga district, who was stranded in Uttarkhand, shifted to Rishikesh on Monday.
The seer’s personal assistant, Raghavendra Madhyasta, said he is safe in Rishikesh. “He is attending a programme in Rishikesh. This place is safe. The rains have stopped,” he said.

Rainfall across State (From June 1)

Region    Actual     Normal     Departure
    Rainfall    rainfall    from normal
        (mm)        (mm)    (in per cent)
Coastal Karnataka     640.2    440.5    +46
South Karnataka     108.3    76.7    +42
North Karnataka      72.4    59.7    +21

Source: Indian Meteorological Department

Helplines available

State police have set up several helplines to address concerns and ensure the safety of Karnataka residents stranded in affected areas in Uttarakhand. They can be reached at: 08022250999, 8022942222 and 08022253707.

The National Disaster Relief Force can be called at: 01123093563.
Local authorities at Rudraprayag can be contacted by calling: 01642333727