Surti pilgrim dies in Uttarkashi

An elderly woman from Surat died of cardiac arrest, while 15 others from the city were trapped at Uttarkashi in flood-ravaged Uttaranchal. They had gone for a pilgrimage and were due to return home on June 24.While this is the official report, unconfirmed reports peg the figure of stranded Surtis at more than 100. Majority of them had gone through travel agents.

All of 15 are residents of the same housing society Mamta Park Society. Family members of trapped pilgrims claimed that help from local administration was still awaited. Bad weather has slowed pace of rescue work, while continuous mud sliding has led to road blockade, they said.

“For past two days, five members of our family are trapped on the road connecting Uttarkashi to Gangotri. They have received no help from local administration. One of our family members died after cardiac arrest,” said Amit Sojitra, a resident of Mamta Park.

 His relatives Bhimji Sojitra (69), his wife Kamla (65), brothers—Dharmshi (70) and Ila (68) — and Bhimji’s younger son Ashok had gone for the yatra. Kamla suffered cardiac arrest and died in the bus. She was cremated at a nearby village.