Helicopter Rescues in Uttarakhand After Devastating Cloudburst

Indian Air Force helicopters joined rescue operations in Uttarakhand, evacuating over 500 pilgrims stranded due to extensive damage caused by a cloudburst. The rescue mission saw 10 individuals airlifted in the initial round, with ongoing efforts to clear the debris. Emergency helplines have been issued for pilgrims' relatives.

The Indian Air Force's Chinook and MI17 helicopters launched a rescue operation in Uttarakhand on Friday, evacuating over 500 pilgrims stranded on the damaged trek route to Kedarnath. An initial 10 individuals were airlifted. The route suffered extensive damage following a cloudburst in Junglechatti near Lincholi on Wednesday night.

According to officials, ten pilgrims were airlifted by an MI17 helicopter on Friday morning and dropped at Gauchar airstrip. Two helpline numbers -- 7579257572 and 01364-233387 --, along with emergency number 112, have been issued by the district administration to assist anxious relatives.

The pilgrims were stranded beyond Bhimbali on the Gaurikund-Kedarnath trek route after a 20-25 metre stretch of the road was washed away by the Mandakini's violent currents. The road to the Himalayan temple is currently blocked by boulders.

Despite the perilous conditions, officials confirmed the safety of the stranded pilgrims. Approximately 5,000 food packets have been distributed. For now, the yatra to Kedarnath is on hold, and pilgrims have been advised to remain in place until the route is cleared of debris. NDRF and SDRF personnel safely evacuated more than 3,000 pilgrims through aerial and surface rescue operations on Thursday.

The deployment of Chinook and MI17 helicopters followed a review of the situation by the Prime Minister's Office on Thursday to expedite the ongoing rescue efforts.