A few pilgrims are still stranded in Badrinath in the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand and their evacuation would depend on the weather conditions, army chief General Bikram Singh said Friday.
He lauded the efforts of troopers from various forces involved in relief and rescue efforts.
Members of Indo Tibetan Border Police revive a stranded person at Pandukeshwar in Uttarakhand (Pic - AFP)
"It was a very difficult operation. What needs to be appreciated is how all agencies worked in unison to save lives," the army chief said, adding that rescue teams had to work in very difficult conditions.
"There was no communication set up. Many places were difficult to reach but they (rescue teams) went to most inaccessible areas to save people," General Singh said.
"I would like to laud the efforts of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Indo-Tibetan Police Force (ITBP) and the Indian Air Force. They have done a great job along with the Indian Army," he added.
The incessant and intense rains that hit Uttarakhand over three days from June 14, leading to flash floods and landslides, have led to hundreds of deaths, while many more are missing. There were thousands of pilgrims in Badrinath and Kedarnath areas when the tragedy struck.
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