adminAround 60 air force helicopters are taking part in the rescue operation in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand where more than 1 000 people have been killed by floods and landslides since the beginning of last week.
The helicopter which crashed yesterday afternoon was on a medical mission near the pilgrimage site of Gaurikund, air force officials told AFP.
The military has been leading efforts to evacuate some 6 000 pilgrims and tourists still stranded throughout the state since the floods hit on June 15.
Raging rivers have since swept away houses, buildings and even entire villages in the state, which was packed with travellers in what is a peak tourist season.
Over 1 000 bridges have been damaged along with roads, cutting off villages and towns.
The scale of the rescue effort has been prompted in part by fears that failure to act swiftly could trigger widespread disease from hundreds of bodies which have yet to be recovered.
As well as trying to rescue stranded victims from remote parts of the mountainous state, relief workers have been busy spraying disinfectant and are preparing for a mass cremation in the holy town of Kedarnath which is one of the worst-hit areas.
But although tonnes of wood have been flown by helicopter into the area for the cremation, the ceremony had to be postponed following more heavy downpours.
Some 6 000 pilgrims and tourists are believed to be still stranded throughout Uttarakhand, known as the “Land of the gods” for its revered Hindu shrines.
They were caught unawares on June 15 when flash floods, triggered by earlier than expected monsoon rains, swept through the area. — AFP.
Online Reporter