Dehradun: Multiple central agencies involved in the relief and rescue operations in the flood-devastated Uttarakhand will most likely wind up their rescue mission in most parts of the Himalayan state on Friday.
According to sources, the rescue operations will continue in Badrinath and some other regions.
The security forces and the paramilitary personnel yesterday wrapped up their rescue mission by evacuating almost all those stranded in the temple town of Kedarnath- the most hit by the devastating floods and landslides.
The job of clearing debris and searching dead bodies will now be undertaken by the state government.
While, the Uttarakhand government claims that nearly 3,000 people are missing in the state, the NDMA says at least 344 people are missing and close to 1,800 people are still stranded in various parts of Uttarakhand.
The NDMA and the Ministry of Home Affairs, which has been coordinating the rescue operations, said after the evacuation efforts will now be taken to trace those missing and helping the flood-devastated villagers and locals.
Meanwhile, Army Chief General Bikram Singh also arrived in Gauchar this morning. He is also expected to visit Joshimath to take stock of relief operations there.
The Army on Thursday claimed that it has completed the evacuation of all pilgrims stranded in Harsil.
"532 stranded people have been evacuated by air from Harsil, leaving just 100 to 150 locals to be evacuated. With this, all pilgrims have been evacuated from Harsil. At least 450 people were evacuated by helicopters from Badrinath on Thursday," it said in a release.
The IAF had flown over 1,820 sorties since June 17 till June 27, including over 60 on June 27 in which it has rescued over 15,113 people.
The Directorate General of Armed Forces Medical Services (DG, AFMS) has deployed 400 people of various specialties in flood-affected areas. The DG, AFMS, has provided medical treatment to 7,000 civilians so far in the area and has also been sending medicines and other equipment for stranded people there.
Meanwhile, all 20 Indian Air Force, ITBP and NDRF personnel, who died in a chopper crash on Tuesday while returning from a rescue mission, will be given a 'guard of honour' in Dehradun on Friday.
Local priests conducted the mass cremations in Kedarnath yesterday after the authorities took DNA samples and photographs of the bodies before performing their last rites.
The authorities are also trying to prevent the spread of diseases in certain areas in the state. The Union Health Ministry has sent a team to review the public health situation in the hill state.
With Agency inputs
Source: Zee News
