Relief and search continue in Pithoragarh, IAF choppers used

Rescue and relief operations continued in the disaster affected areas of Pithoragarh district on Sunday even as Indian Air Force helicopters were used to also bring Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims to Gunji along with rations. Meanwhile, according to government sources, hundreds of families are being provide medical aid and relief at camps set up in areas affected by heavy rains in the recent past in Pithoragarh district.

Heavy rains a couple of days ago in Dharchula, Munsyari and Bangapani areas of Pithoragarh district had not only caused an unconfirmed number of deaths but also affected the connectivity and basic facilities in the areas.

The Government is continuing relief efforts along with attempts to restore road connectivity and repair the damaged basic facilities in the region. The search for persons lost during the heavy rains has also continued along the Gori-Kali rivers and other areas.

On Sunday, Mi 17 helicopters of the Indian Air Force were used to bring 57 members of the seventh batch of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims from Nainisaini to Gunji along with three personnel of the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN).

The helicopters were also used to transport 31 quintals of foodgrains to Gunji. Sixteen sorties of helicopters were also conducted from Dharchula to bring 36 pilgrims from Bundi and Garbyang to Dharchula while 27 were taken from Dharchula to Bundi and Garbyang. Additionally, three quintals of goodgrains were also transported to Bundi by chopper.

Meanwhile, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police rescue teams conducted an operation in search of Kishan Ram who has been missing. Search was also conducted by the SDRF and police from Munsyari police station for Haruli Devi who has been missing since falling from a cliff and being carried away in a nullah on July 14.

Further, a team of NDRF, SDRF and Dharchula police continued search operation from Himkhola along the Kali river looking for persons missing from Himkhola.

The administration has set up relief camps at 16 locations to provide food and essential facilities to 295 members of 77 families in the disaster affected areas.

Doctors are also administering health examinations to the affected locals in these relief camps. While 22 roads in the district were closed on Sunday morning, by evening, seven of these had been opened.