Uttarakhand: 1500 still stranded in Badrinath, death toll remains unclear

Dehradun: At least 1500 people, including locals, are still stranded at Badrinath and Harsil in flood-hit Uttarakahand and rescue operations are on to bring them to safety. 3,000 people remain missing a fortnight after disaster struck the state and authorities are grappling with the grim task of extricating dead bodies from

under debris amid fear of disease. 1. More than 100,000 people have been evacuated from the hill state in one of the biggest operations by the Army since June 17. The Indian Air Force said it has airlifted over 18,000 people and dropped more than 3 lakh kg of relief material since the rescue operations began. 1335 villages are, however, still cut-off and authorities are dropping rations there. They plan to distribute 1 month free ration for these villages. 2. The focus is now on giving last rites to the bodies of those who died in the tragedy. The Uttarakhand government has requested the central government for 100 tonnes of bleaching powder to help dispose the carcasses of animals killed.(Read more)