300 pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh stranded in Uttarkashi

[1]

Hyderabad: Hundreds of pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh were stranded without even the basic amenities in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand due to severe rains, cutting off all modes of transport.
Roads were closed due to landslides and collapsed bridges due to raging rivers following incessant rains since Saturday. Local officials are making all efforts to ensure the pilgrims are safe.
Heavy rains lashed Uttarakhand, with Dehradun and Uttarkashi receiving the maximum rain. According to reports, both rivers in the district, the  Bhagirathi and Assi Ganga and its several tributaries, were  overflowing due to the incessant rains  which submerged several bridges and severely damaged others.
Among the thousands of stranded pilgrims from various parts of the country were 300 pilgrims from Nalgonda and Krishna districts. Local dharmashalas and motels were unable to provide accommodation to  many pilgrims. Officials believed that the pilgrims were stranded  somewhere near Dunda.Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy directed senior government officials to monitor the situation  through their counterparts. Tourism minister, Vatti Vasant Kumar, said “I have spoken to director general (intelligence), the state tourism officials there and the cabinet secretary who have  assured all help.”
The collector of Uttarkashi district said, “We are trying to evacuate the pilgrims to safer places.”