INDIA: Families are still waiting to hear some news about their kin, who are amongst the thousands still missing after the devastating floods in India's northern Uttarakhand state, while the swelling river refuses to show any signs of respite
Record ID:
1377017
INDIA: Families are still waiting to hear some news about their kin, who are amongst the thousands still missing after the devastating floods in India's northern Uttarakhand state, while the swelling river refuses to show any signs of respite
- Title: INDIA: Families are still waiting to hear some news about their kin, who are amongst the thousands still missing after the devastating floods in India's northern Uttarakhand state, while the swelling river refuses to show any signs of respite
- Date: 30th June 2013
- Summary: UTTARKASHI, UTTARAKHAND, INDIA (JUNE 30, 2013) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) SWOLLEN RIVER RIVER FLOWING HINDU GOD STATUE, LORD SHIVA PEOPLE PRAYING TO THE TEMPLE HALF SUBMERGED IN THE RIVER A WOMAN STANDING CLOSE TO THE SWELLING RIVER WOMAN PRAYING RIVER HALF SUBMERGED TEMPLE IN THE RIVER RIVER WATER ENTERING HOUSE VADODARA, GUJARAT, INDIA (JUNE 29, 2013) (ORIGINALLY 4:3) (ANI-NO ACCESS BBC) ROAD DIRECTION BOARD ON THE ROAD FAMILY SITTING MEMBERS OF A FAMILY SITTING MEENAKSHI PATEL, WHOSE PARENTS ARE MISSING, SITTING FAMILY HOLDING A PHOTO ALBUM PHOTOS OF THEIR MISSING PARENTS PHOTO OF THEIR MISSING MOTHER (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) A LOCAL, MEENAKSHI PATEL, WHOSE PARENTS ARE MISSING, SAYING: "They have not returned from Kedarnath from June 15. We last spoke to them on the evening of June 15." REPORTER ASKS "WHAT DID YOU LAST SPEAK TO THEM? PATEL SAYING: " "They had come out of the temple, they called me and said that they had visited the temple. That was the last conversation we had. There is no information about them and they cannot be contacted." FAMILY MEMBER HOLDING THE PHOTO ALBUM THE FAMILY SITTING
- Embargoed: 16th July 2013 00:07
- Keywords:
- Location: India
- Country: India
- Topics: Disasters / Accidents / Natural catastrophes,Environment
- Reuters ID: LVA46C2P12W3F5TSKMNIRSKQNY61
- Aspect Ratio: 4:3
- Story Text: Rivers in India's Uttarakhand state were still swollen on Sunday (June) as families waited for news of loved ones missing in devastating floods that have wreaked havoc in the northern part of the country.
The floods, triggered by heavier than normal and early monsoon rains, have killed at least 822 people and displaced tens of thousands of inhabitants in Uttarakhand state, a popular destination for Hindu pilgrims due to its shrines and temples.
The disaster has been dubbed a "Himalayan tsunami" by local media due to the torrents of water unleashed in the hilly region, which has sent mud and boulders crashing down, burying homes, sweeping away buildings, roads and bridges.
Government officials said around 350 people have been reported missing, but added that it was likely that there were many more.
"They have not returned from Kedarnath from June 15. We last spoke to them on the evening of June 15," said Meenakshi Patel who lives in Vadodara in India's western Gujarat state of her parents.
"They had come out of the temple, they called me and said that they had visited the temple. That was the last conversation we had. There is no information about them and they cannot be contacted," she said.
Heavy rains over the last three days have hampered rescue operations by the army and air force who have been evacuating survivors marooned in and around the four temple towns of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri since June 15.
Over 100,000 people have so far been evacuated by land and air, said the country's interior minister, Sushilkumar Shinde. Television channels have been broadcasting dramatic pictures of desperate pilgrims scrambling to get aboard helicopters.
Hundreds of houses and small apartment blocks on the banks of the River Ganga, India's longest river and its tributaries Yamuna, Mandakini and Alaknanda have toppled into the rushing, swollen waters. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
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