CLOUD BURST 650 rescued in Uttarkashi

Sniffer dogs nosed their way through high piles of rubble, drones circled overhead and rescue personnel searched for the missing through the sludge in disaster-hit Dharali Friday, four days after raging waters buried half the village and left scores missing.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Since Tuesday, 650 people have been rescued, 400 Thursday and 250 Friday, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, adding the rest will also be evacuated soon.

Communication lines were restored Friday in the disaster-hit areas of Uttarkashi after remaining disrupted for three days with authorities hoping it will help in pacing up rescue operations.

“Internet connectivity has been restored. Airtel has begun to function in the affected area, It will speed up rescue operations,” Dhami told reporters after returning from Dharali.

However, roads are still blocked or broken between Dharali, Harsil and Uttarkashi and power supply has been badly hit, he said.

He said a generator set has been brought to Uttarkashi to be flown to the affected area.