28 Kerala Tourists Missing After Cloudburst in Uttarakhand
A group of 28 tourists from Kerala has gone missing after a cloudburst triggered massive mudslides in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district on Tuesday. The devastating incident has left the families of the missing tourists in a state of panic and uncertainty.
According to reports, the group of 28 tourists, including couples and families, was on a tour of Uttarakhand, arranged by a travel agency. They were on their way to the popular tourist destination of Dharali when the cloudburst occurred, triggering massive mudslides and flash floods in the area.
The relatives of the missing tourists are in a state of distress as they are unable to get any information about their whereabouts. A relative of one of the couples in the group said that the travel agency, which arranged the Uttarakhand tour, is unable to provide any update on the group’s whereabouts.
“We are extremely worried about my sister and her husband who were on the tour. We have been trying to contact the travel agency, but they are not responding. We are at a loss as to what to do,” said the relative, who wished to remain anonymous.
The cloudburst occurred on Tuesday evening, causing widespread destruction and chaos in the region. At least five people have died in the incident, and many more are feared to be trapped under the debris.
The Uttarkashi district administration has launched a massive rescue operation to search for the missing tourists and to provide relief to those affected by the disaster. The Indian Army, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are all involved in the rescue efforts.
The rescue teams are facing a tough challenge as the terrain in the region is treacherous, and the weather conditions are unfavorable. The authorities are using helicopters and other machinery to reach the affected areas and to search for the missing tourists.
The cloudburst in Uttarkashi is the latest in a series of natural disasters to hit the region in recent weeks. Last week, a landslide in the region had blocked the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway, causing widespread disruption to traffic and communication.
The incident has sparked concerns about the preparedness of the authorities to deal with natural disasters in the region. The Uttarkashi district administration has been criticized for its slow response to the disaster, and the opposition parties have demanded a thorough investigation into the incident.
The death toll in the cloudburst is expected to rise as rescue teams continue to search for more bodies. The authorities are also providing relief to those affected by the disaster, and are working to restore communication and electricity in the affected areas.
The incident is a sobering reminder of the importance of being prepared for natural disasters, and the need for timely and effective response from the authorities. The Uttarkashi cloudburst is a tragic reminder of the power of nature, and the importance of taking necessary precautions to stay safe.
