Uttarakhand Disaster: Rescue Efforts Intensified

Following the instructions of Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy, a helicopter has been arranged for airlifting pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh who have been stranded in the recent floods in Uttarakhand.

The Chief Minister, who is touring the East Godavari district, enquired about the relief and rescue measures being taken to bring the stranded travellers back to Andhra Pradesh.

As directed by the Chief Minister, Minister for Civil Supplies D Sridhar Babu has been stationed at Dehradun, and is closely monitoring the relief and rescue operations.

A team of 12 doctors, consisting of physicians, surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, and nurses, along with post-graduates and house surgeons, will be positioned in Dehradun and Haridwar from Monday. They will be available for a week.

Another team of 10 doctors has been positioned in AP Bhavan from Sunday, and will be stationed there for one week.

A special train will run from Haridwar to Andhra Pradesh on Monday.

Round-the-clock control rooms are working at the Secretariat, Hyderabad, at all District Headquarters, AP Bhavan, New Delhi and Dehradun, Haridwar.


Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister spoke over phone with ministers Sridhar Babu, Danam Nagender and Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Balram Naik.

The ministers informed the CM that all efforts are being made with the help of teams that have been deputed from Andhra Pradesh.

Kiran Kumar Reddy also spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna. He directed the AP Chief Secretary P K Mohanty and senior officials to constantly maintain contact, and to monitor the operations to bring back all tourists and pilgrims safely. (INN)