Kedarnath: 17 pilgrims from Gujarat rescued

Ahmedabad: In a daring rescue operation, 17 pilgrims from Gujarat were saved from the clutches of nature in Kedarnath, amidst heavy rainfall and landslides. The pilgrims, hailing from Aravalli district, were stranded in the region due to bad weather conditions.

According to reports, the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Bhupendra Patel, had issued instructions to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) to rescue the stranded pilgrims. The SEOC, in coordination with the Uttarakhand government, launched a rescue operation to evacuate the pilgrims to safer locations.

The rescue operation was carried out with the help of seven helicopters, including Chinook and MI-17. The pilgrims were airlifted from the affected areas and brought to safety within a few hours.

Speaking to the media, Manojbhai, a leader of the pilgrim group, expressed gratitude to the authorities for their prompt response and rescue efforts.

Meanwhile, seven pilgrims from Rajkot are still missing, and their family members have approached the district collector for assistance. The collector has informed the Emergency Operation Centre about the missing pilgrims.

In another incident, five friends from Vadodara, who were also on a pilgrimage to Kedarnath, were reported missing. Their family members are worried about their safety.

The rescue operation was a joint effort by the Gujarat and Uttarakhand governments, and it highlights the importance of coordination and swift action in times of crisis.