Uttarakhand death toll may cross 1,000 mark, says Sushilkumar Shinde

The death toll in flood-ravaged Uttarakhand may cross the reported 1,000 mark after the debris is cleared, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said on Monday. "Reports suggested the toll was around 1000, but it could rise as the debris is cleared," he told reporters after flagging of new PCR vans of Delhi Police at India Gate in New Delhi.

Shinde said the authorities will now evacuate victims from the temple-town of Badrinath, adding that rains had hindered the rescue operations by helicopters.  "It was raining there on Sunday and there is rain today as well. Rains hinder the rescue operations by the helicopters," the Home Minister said.

Despite inclement weather, he said the rescue operations were on. The authorities, he said, decided to evacuate people from Kedarnath first because they were in a precarious condition where as those in Badrinath were relatively better placed.  "There were arrangements for food and water in Badrinath," he said.