Over 1,400 people evacuated on day 5 of Kedarnath Yatra

RUDRAPRAYAG: More than 1,400 people stranded on the rain-ravaged trek route to Kedarnath were evacuated to safety on Monday as the rescue operations entered their fifth day.

Air rescue operations gained momentum with the weather clearing in the Kedar Valley.

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Chinook and MI17 helicopters aided in the evacuation of pilgrims that was earlier being done largely by small helicopters, officials said.

While 136 pilgrims were rescued by IAF and state helicopters, 509 were brought to Lincholi on foot from Kedarnath and sent in helicopters to Chardham and Shersi helipads, Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman said.

Apart from them, 584 people were rescued from Gaurikund via Sonprayag and 172 others via Chaumasi, he said, adding that Most of the pilgrims have been brought to safety from Lincholi, Bhimbali and Gaurikund.

More than 11,775 people have been shifted to safe places since the start of the rescue operations last Thursday.