Relief material stuck in U'khand godowns, rains hamper work

Tonnes of relief material are yet to reach people who need them badly in Uttarakhand as these are stuck in government godowns due to bad weather which also hampered cremation of bodies and removal of debris at Kedarnath today.

Though a 200-member team of experts drawn from different departments is already at the Himalayan shrine to speed up removal of debris and disposal of already decomposing bodies, they have not made much headway so far with only 59 bodies visible on the surface cremated in over a week's time in the valley including those disposed of within premises of the shrine.

Meanwhile, DNA samples of 131 bodies have been collected by forensic experts prior to their mass cremation in Kedarnath valley.

Citing data received from the state government, Uttarakhand Human Rights Commission Chairman Vijendra Jain said the samples of bodies lying visibly in Kedarnath shrine area and adjoining villages have been taken so far out of which only one body has been identified.

Not much has been done since morning today with rains lashing Kedarghati.

Distribution of relief in about 240 villages is totally cut off with major roads in the worst hit Rudraprayag, Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts still closed for traffic and choppers being the only means to transport relief to affected people.

Tonnes of relief material provided by the administration, different states, political parties and NGOs are still stuck in government godowns of Guptkashi and Joshimath from where they are yet to be flown to people who need them badly as they face foodgrain shortage 19 days after the tragedy.