INDIA
Both Singh and Gandhi had yesterday written to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and the government has assured him all assistance in rescue and relief operations.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi will today make an aerial survey of rain-ravaged areas in Uttarkhand where flash floods have claimed over a hundred lives and left thousands of pilgrims for Himalayan shrines stranded.
The situation created by the heavy rains and floods in the state was discussed at the Congress Core Group meeting this morning.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters after the meeting that the situation in Uttarakhand is better than what it was yesterday and Food Minister K V Thomas is taking steps to rush more food grains to the flood-hit Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
"The objective is to ensure that food grains and food packets are available to the affected people. On the food issue, a number of decisions were taken," he said.
On the steps being initiated by the government to provide succour to the victims, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said that IAF helicopters have been deployed to evacuate stranded people from Gaurikund in Uttarakhand while a control centre has been established in Badrinath. ITBP has given shelter to about 6,400 people at Joshimath, he said.
"Fourteen teams comprising 540 persons of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in Uttarakhand. 62,790 people are stranded in Uttarakhand. 5000 people have been rescued by the Army," the Home Minister said.
Both Singh and Gandhi had yesterday written to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna and the government has assured him all assistance in rescue and relief operations.
Gandhi, who had also spoken to Shinde and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, has sought "timely and prompt" relief measures in the two states.
Shinde said that Gandhi and the Prime Minister will be undertaking the aerial survey this afternoon.
The Prime Minister had yesterday directed agencies of the central government to assist in rescue and relief operations.
The Congress President had yesterday asked the two Chief Ministers and the Home Minister to ensure that arrangements for communication and travel were made for the stranded tourists and visitors from other states.
"The (Core Group) meeting was confined to the emergency relief operations in flood-affected areas... We were briefed about the various relief measures by both the Home Minister and the Food Minister," Chidambaram said.
He said that while food grain stocks are available in both Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, the food minister is taking steps to rush more food grains for these states.
A statement on the relief measures will be made by the Prime Minister's Office, he said, adding that the situation is better and some roads have been reopened by the Army, ITBP and the Border Roads Organisation.
"The number of people evacuated would by now be 10,000.
The relief operations are underway," the Finance Minister said.
Baba Siddique murder: Main shooter, two other accused arrested in UP
Justice Sanjiv Khanna to be sworn in as 51st Chief Justice of India tomorrow
Delhi Pollution: Air quality remains in 'very poor' zone, AQI reaches over 330
'Fictosexual': Japanese man celebrates six years of marriage with his virtual wife
J-K: Army officer martyred, 3 soldiers injured in gunfight with terrorists in Kishtwar
This is world's richest politician, much wealthier than Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, he is...
Want a bride-like glow? Try Deepika Padukone’s secret juice for perfect glow
Meet Robin Passi, billionaire heir and son of Fabulous Lives Vs Bollywood Wives fame Shalini Passi
Tulsi Vivah 2024 Time: Date, shubh muhurat, rituals and significance
MrBeast, Logan Paul ride rickshaw in Mumbai, distribute chocolates to paparazzi; WATCH viral video
Azim Premji buys stakes worth Rs 4757 crore in Rs 297000 crore company
'This is just exploitation...': Video of woman sleeping with lion cubs goes viral, watch
Rihanna retiring from music? Singer says 'God had other plans', leaves fans worried
India's first high-speed railway test track worth Rs 820 crore getting constructed in...
Mukesh Ambani loses Rs 74563 crore in 5 days, Reliance emerges as biggest...
Congress veteran leader, 5 times MLA Mateen Ahmed joins AAP ahead of 2025 Delhi Assembly polls
AUS vs PAK: Pakistan script history in Perth, win ODI series on Australian soil after 22 years
'Ask Rahul Gandhi to praise Savarkar, Balasaheb...': Amit Shah's fierce attack on Uddhav Thackeray
Hidden danger in your spice rack: Turmeric's lead contamination crisis
Dev Uthani Ekadashi 2024: When is Devutthana Prabodhini Ekadashi vrat? Know date and significance
J-K: Fresh encounter breaks out in Kishtwar between security forces, terrorists
No water supply for 16 hours on November 11 in THIS part of Delhi, check details
Viral video: Man finds live worm in pizza ordered online, furious netizens demand action, WATCH
How many meals in a day is healthy for Indians?
New health directive in Tamil Nadu, Government declares THIS as notifiable disease
How Indian airports are becoming hubs for drug-trafficking?
Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024: Union Home Minister Amit Shah releases BJP manifesto
J-K: Exchange of fire between terrorists, security forces in forest area of Srinagar
'These kids will regret': Kartik Aaryan fans IGNORE Sonu Nigam, viral video leaves netizens angry
Liam Payne's death 'NOT' suicide: Autopsy reveals One Direction singer died due to...
Delhi Ganesh, Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2 co-star, passes away
Why paper cuts hurt so much: Surprising science explained
Donald Trump marks second term victory with formation of inaugural committee for 2025
Citadel Honey Bunny review: Varun Dhawan, Samantha try powering this dull series
Meet Malaysia's richest Indian, owns private satellites, his net worth is Rs...
Delhi-NCR update: AQI improves slightly but remains in 'very poor' category
Meet woman who was first DSP, cracked UPSC exam to become collector, was jailed due to...
SA vs IND, 2nd T20I: Predicted playing XIs, live streaming details, weather and pitch report
SA vs IND, 2nd T20I Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for South Africa vs India match
Viral Video: Bride's squad dances to 'Jadoo Ki Jhappi' song at wedding, win hearts online
Viral video: Little girl's adorable dance to 'Gulabi Sadi' leaves internet wanting more, watch
Meet man who built Rs 4500 crore company with MS Dhoni’s help, his business is…
Meet woman, who survived cancer, owns 10 private jets, her net worth is…
MBBS in Russia: Why do Indian students prefer studying medicals in Russia, why not India?
Amid divorce rumours, Aishwarya Rai reveals if she checks Abhishek Bachchan’s phone in viral video
DNA TV Show: Why Ajit Pawar distances himself from CM Yogi's slogan 'Batenge toh katenge'?
Meet Yashvardhan Dalal, Haryana batsman who scored 426 runs in an innings in CK Nayudu Trophy
Pakistani TikTok star Minahil Malik's dance video goes viral amid MMS leak controversy, watch
Gujarat: 38 injured in collision involving bus, two vehicles near Ambaji
MSMEs will get collateral free term loans scheme of upto Rs 100 crore through..., says FM Sitharaman
Rashmika, Samantha, Nayanthara, Tamannaah: Meet top South actresses
Will Hania Amir-Fahad Mustafa’s romantic drama return for Kabhi Main Kabhi Tum season 2?
New Maruti Dzire vs Old Maruti Dzire: Engine, specs, safety compared
Meet man, son of rickshaw puller, cracked UPSC in 1st attempt at 22, currently posted in...