Over 1,000 pilgrims evacuated in Uttarakhand

Over 1,000 pilgrims stranded on way to the Himalayan shrines in Uttarakhand have been evacuated as the pilgrimage to Badrinath and the Sikh shrine of Hemkund Sahib in Chamoli district remained disrupted for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday.

The pilgrimage to Hemkund Sahib has been suspended after a bridge near Bhyundar village along the trek route was washed away in rains and a substitute for it is under construction.

Stranded pilgrims were being ferried in vehicles from Badrinath to Benakuli and Lambagad to Joshimath, Chamoli’s disaster management officer Nand Kishor Joshi said. About 1,000 pilgrims have so far been evacuated to Joshimath, he said.

Pilgrims were also being airlifted in two copters from Ghanghariya and ferried to Joshimath, he said. About 350 pilgrims have been brought from Hemkund Sahib in copters to Joshimath.

Most of the Sikh pilgrims who were earlier stranded in Ghanghariya have now safely reached their destinations, Hemkund Gurdwara Prabandhak committee chief Seva Singh said.

Heavy rains on Wednesday and Thursday had caused landslides and blocked the Badrinath National Highway at a number of places.