Among those dead are Bimala Devi, Khemlal Pokhrel, Shivanand and Hari Prasad. All deceased are believed to be from Kathmandu, S B Sahi of Gorkha Democratic Front told Republica from Dehradun. With this, the number of Nepalis confirmed killed in the flooding has reached eight. [break]
After a brief halt due to fresh rains and dense clouds on Sunday, only five Nepali pilgrims reached to safety from the hills of Uttarakhand on Sunday.
"Five Nepalis reached Haridwar on foot from Guptakashi and are now safe," Nepali embassy official, Yadulal Kharel, told Republica from Rishikesh on Sunday. One Murari Adhikari has been identified amongst the five people.
Four Nepali nationals from Pandukeshwar near Badrinath came in contact with the Nepal embassy in New Delhi Sunday. One Damodar Bhurtel is said to be in the group.
Tara Prasad, a travel agent based in Haridwar said that around 30-35 Nepali pilgrims who went to Haridwar through his agency are safe. " Some of them have left for home," Prasad told Republica over phone from Haridwar. Of those rescued in this group include Dharma Raj, his wife and his 80-year old aunt.
The number of those rescued since past three days has now crossed 300. But there are still about 150 people who are stranded in the devastated areas of Uttarakhand which saw the worst floods, landslides and cloudburst last weekend. Initially it was said that around 500 Nepalis were stuck in the affected areas like Gangotri, Joshimath, Badrinath, Kedarnath and Pindari glacier.
The Nepali embassy in New Delhi has claimed that some 300 Nepali pilgrims and another 200 labourers have been rescued so far.
"I would believe that there are still about 100 or 150 more Nepalis stranded in the hills," acting envoy to India, Tirtha Raj Wagle, said, adding, "As of yet we do not have the exact casualty figures."
Uttarakhand´s chief minister Vijay Bahuguna has said that the number of those dead may cross 1,000. The figure is expected to rise significantly as thousands of people continue to languish in the hills. Uttarakhand government said on Sunday that there are 8,000 more people in Badrinath, 80 in Kedarnath, 500 in Gaurikund and 3500 in Uttarkashi waiting to be rescued.
Bahuguna has, however, gave assurance that those 8,000 stuck in Badrinath are safe and continuous supply of water and medicine have been provided to the victims.
Bahuguna also met with the two-member delegation from Nepal embassy Sunday at Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand. "The chief minister has assured that the state government will do everything to rescue the stranded Nepalis," Kharel said.
The delegation has requested CM Bahuguna to help in rescuing 30 Nepalis stranded in Badrinath. A press release issued by the Nepali embassy in Delhi reiterated this request. The release also added that the 103 Nepalese rescued on Saturday have left for their homes in Nepal.
More than 18,000 people stranded for days in Gangotri, Joshimath, Badrinath, Kedarnath and Pindari glacier were rescued Sunday. In addition over 2,500 people were rescued Sunday from Badrinath, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) said. All of them have been brought to Joshimath, said ITBP spokesman Deepak Kumar Pandey
It could not be verified how many Nepalese were amongst this lot.
The most difficult place to reach is said to be the Jangal Chatti area from where more than 15,000 people have yet to be rescued.
With most parts of Uttarakhand witnessing overcast skies and the State Meteorology Department forecasting heavy rain in the next 48 hours, the thousands who are still stranded face a frightening challenge. Heavy rains are expected between June 25 and 27, and in that case multi-layered clouds will hamper rescue flights as well.
Heavy rains are forecast in Pithoragarh, Uttarkashi and Chamoli districts, among the worst hit areas. With more than 1,000 major and minor roads washed away, officials say air rescue is the only way to take the trapped people to safety.
The Indian Army, the ITBP and the National Disaster Relief Force of India are spearheading the relief operations and working to make new routes.
Helpline numbers announced by Uttarakhand government
Haridwar | 09760534054, 09760534055
Dehradun | 01352-622131
Rishikesh | 01352-434167
Uttarkashi | 01374-226126, 226161
Chamoli | 01372-251437
Tehri | 01376-233433
Rudraprayag | 01732-1077
ITBP helpline, control room | 011-24362892, 9968383478
Army medical emergency helpline | 18001805558, 18004190282, 8009833388
Uttarakhand Helpline numbers | 0135-2710334, 2710335, 2710233
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