Uttarakhand floods: Pall of gloom sets across families awaiting their loved ones

Haridwar: The floods in the state of Uttarakhand have claimed over 150 lives. More than 50,000 people are stranded in the hill state awaiting search teams which have been launched by the Indo Tibetan Border Police and Army. But as the search teams take time to reach the flood victims, the wait continues to be nerve-wracking for those who are looking for news of the missing.

While some of the relatives have managed to reach Dehradun, several others based in cities across the country are waiting anxiously for their loved ones. A large number of crowd has gathered at the Jolly Grant airport, from where the rescue teams are being launched.

The IAF and helicopters have, so far, airlifted 3,000 people. While the critical stretch has been between Kedarnath and Guptakashi, the big challenge remains Ram Bara and Gaurikund. The Army and central forces have brought 5,000 people on to safe ground with the army mobilising an additional 2500 troops. But for relatives of the missing, the traumatic wait continues. Many of them have not had any contact with their loved ones for over four days.

Those who are at the airport claim they are yet to hear from the administration. The grieving family members who reached Dehradun for news about those missing claim their is lack of co-ordination between the various agencies involved in relief and rescue. Some of them have been camping near the airport for two days now.

The story is the same beyond Uttarakhand. Across the nation, families of the stranded people sit anxiously waiting for just that one phone call or sms from their loved ones. In Lucknow, a grieving mother awaits the return of her son while in Bangalore, a son is expecting a call from his parents. "I haven't spoken to my parents. Hope they are safe," says another.

Others accuse the government of not doing much. A family in Gujarat alleged that the government was not doing anything. Same goes the story of a family in Bhopal. "I have not heard from my father and mother for the last three days. Their phones are switched off," said one member of the family. All they can hope is the safe return of their loved ones.

Evacuations are expected to continue for another week, while air operations will continue for three more days. The Sonprayag-Rudraprayag and the Uttarkashi-Rishikesh roads have now been opened. More than 33000 people have been rescued but over 50,000 people are still stranded across the state. Thousands are still missing. The IAF and helicopters have so far airlifted 3000 people. While the critical stretch has been between Kedarnath and Guptakashi, the big challenge remains Ram Bara and Gaurikund.

Evacuations are expected to continue for another week, while air operations will continue for three more days. But as Air rescue operations are bringing survivors to Jolly Grant through the day, for most families it will be a long wait before they see their loved ones.

Helpline numbers:

Uttarkashi: 01374-226126, 226161

Chamoli: 01372-251437

Tehri: 01376-233433

Rudraprayag: 01732-1077

The ITBP helpline and control room numbers: 011-24362892, 9968383478

Army medical emergency helpline numbers: 18001805558, 18004190282, 8009833388

Uttarakhand Helpline numbers: 0135-2710334, 2710335, 2710233