Dehradun (TIP): The mammoth multi-agency rescue operations to evacuate all stranded pilgrims and tourists in the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand concluded on July 3 with a group of 155 persons being evacuated from Badrinath. In all, around 1.1 lakh people — stranded due to flash floods and landslides after monsoon rains pounded the hill state on June 15 — were evacuated by joint teams of the Army, Indian Air Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). “A total of 155 persons were evacuated today from Badrinath. Now for all intent and purpose, the evacuation of stranded pilgrims and tourists in Badrinath is complete.

Now some locals remain there and they would be airlifted tomorrow,” said Chief Secretary Subash Kumar. Kumar said the state government has intensified operations to air-drop food packets in the areas that still remain cut off. “In Rudraprayag, copters made 31 sorties and 1,100 food packets were dropped,” he said. The Chief Secretary said sorties were undertaken in Munsiyari and Dharchula districts of Pithoragarh for air-lifting stranded locals.