How Army and NDRF are crucial to Rescue Operations in Uttarakhand ?

Indian Army and National Disaster Response Force have played a crucial role in the Rescue and Relief Works at Kedarnath and other parts of Uttarakhand. According to Survivors, without timely intervention by Army, they would have not survived.

NDRF has rescued 3,500 people stranded in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath, following floods and landslides, since Thursday and now plan to use UAVs to zero in others stuck in the area. Of the 3,500 pilgrims, 743 were rescued Saturday from Kedarnath, Jungle Chetti and Gaurikund area.

Indian Army has established the first big opening at the Badrinath axis with a makeshift bridge and will rescue all those stuck there soon. Brigadier Akshat Arora, Commander of Indian Army said that in the Joshimath to Badrinath axis a makeshift bridge has been made at the north of Lambargah village. Twenty army jawans have crossed to the other side and from tomorrow civilians will be escorted over this bridge by army jawans,and doctors.

Meanwhile 2,500 people from Gagriya, on the Hemkund axis, have been evacuated.

Indian Army has also increased its footprint to over 6,000 personnel from 500 for the operation.

As per Army Chief, efforts are underway to ensure that Army personnel move forward to the difficult terrain with necessary logistics like medicines, rations etc. to extricate those who are marooned due to the unprecedented calamity.

“…Time is limited. We have window till tomorrow because I have been told that weather might turn bad again but we are rushing our people there”, Army Chief Gen. Bikram Singh was quoted saying.

Having several brushes with death, survivors of the Himalayan Tsunami which left a trail of destruction in Uttarakhand were all praise for Army, which they said has given them a second life.

Sukhvinder Singh, a Ludhiana native who was stuck for eight days on the way to Hemkund Sahib, said, “I was en route to Hemkund Sahib when the disaster struck. The situation was deteriorating with the passage of time… We were bit relieved when Army stepped in. They gave us food and water and helped us in every possible way. Had they not been here, we wouldn’t have survived.”

Recalling his horrific experiences during the past few days, Aman Bisht, who arranges treks to Hemkund Sahib every year, said, “The road links were shattered and down there we had no bridges left. And even if there was a road somewhere, it was broken. The Army has been very supportive.”

Another survivor from Punjab, who was rescued from Joshi Math, said he was able to contact his family only with the help of army personnel.

One Sharan, who along with his family was rescued from Badrinath and brought to Chamouli relief camp yesterday, said, “The situation is pathetic. Had the army not been there, we would not have any chance of coming back ever.”

They were equally cursing the local administration. Family members and friends of those, who are stranded or missing in the hill state, have come to Dehradun and are desperately searching hospitals and camps to get some news about their loved ones. They are also condemning “total absence” of sensitivity on part of the administration.