Uttarakhand floods 'A bad dream,' say residents

The turmoil and loss that residents and tourists have undergone in Uttarakhand after flash floods and landslips triggered by the monsoon, is like a bad dream, feel residents.

Mahesh, who belongs to Uttarakhand, lost his father in Badrinath, but was not able to reach the place even afte 36 hours. " We have no means to get there or get his body back. My mother is alone there; she is stranded on the road. It seems a bad dream," he said.

Over 138 have lost their lives in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh due to the flash floods. 2,700 pilgrims and villagers have been rescued in Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts.

Speaking to newsmen, Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Ajay Chadha,said here today that it was very difficult to give the total figure of people who have been rescued as many organisations have been involved in the task.

He said that the ITBP itself had rescued 4000 persons from Govindghat and other areas ."Wherever possible we are making log bridges and rope bridges, where the bridges have been washed away and trying to rescue people. Besides rescuing, we are giving them shelter at Joshimath, plus medical supplies, wherever required."

The rainfall during the month has been 48 percent above normal across India up until June 16. The situation is expected to ease next week, according to weather department officials.