Deaths in Uttarakhand tragedy could've been prevented: Uma Bharti

Loss of lives in the Uttarakhand tragedy was a result of "human error" which could have been averted if some steps had been taken in time, BJP vice president Uma Bharti said today.

"I feel that because of the heavy rains, floods could not have been avoided. However, the sad loss of human lives should not have taken place," Bharti told PTI.

There were heavy rains in Uttarakhand for three days from June 14, because of which the Gandhi Sarovar above Kedarnath in Uttarakhand was overflowing, she said.

If steps had been taken to evacuate the pilgrims from Kedarnath and other places during those three days, the loss of human lives could have been prevented, Bharti said.

The Dhari Devi temple in Uttarakhand was moved on June 16 and it was only after that the devastation struck the hill state, she claimed.

Bharti said she would not like to say that the tragedy occurred because of the shifting of the temple, but pointed out that it was a popular belief that Dhari Devi temple was the protector of tourists and those living in the state.

She said that she was among those who had campaigned against the moving of the temple but added that her voice was not heard.

May be this happened under the pressure of the "power mafia" which wanted big power projects to come up at the site where the temple was located, she alleged.

Bharti said small power projects along the rivers of Uttarakhand would have been good for the people and environment of the state.

"However, there was little possibility of these small power projects coming up as they would not provide any benefit to the influential power mafia," Bharti alleged.