At least 300 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh are reportedly stranded on the Gangotri and Yamunotri routes due to incessant rains and landslips for the last 48 hours. With no respite from the heavy rains lashing the area, the pilgrims are waiting for food and water. According to some of the relatives of the pilgrims stuck in Uttarkashi, the situation was grave with landslips hampering relief operations.
According to information, most of the pilgrims hailed from Nalgonda, East and West Godavari and Krishna districts. It is understood apart from established travel agencies several small-time tour operators started operating pilgrimage to Gangotri and Yamunotri. As a result, the State government did not have the exact numbers.
Ms. Erukula Sashanka from Srinagar Colony in the City, as many as 21 of her relatives including parents – E. Chenna Kesava Rao and Roopa Devi, were stranded in Uttarkashi since Saturday night. She told
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“They had left on June 12 and had visited Gangotri and were returning to Uttarkashi, where they were to stay for the night, when heavy rains disrupted vehicular traffic leading to heavy traffic jam. My parents told me over phone that more than 100 buses were stuck on the road with no rescue operation in sight,” she added. Union Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi spoke to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna urging him to take up rescue operation. Relief Commissioner T. Radha told