37 killed in fresh landslides
Tribune News Service and PTI

LUCKNOW, Aug 19 — At least 37 persons were killed in fresh landslides triggered by heavy rains in Uttar Pradesh today even as hopes faded of finding any survivors in yesterday's landslide in which about 210 persons are feared killed in Pithoragarh district, 500 km north of here.

Twentysix persons were killed in landslides in pockets of Barua village in Mansoona block, 12 km from Ukhimath in Rudraprayag district this morning, officials here said. Eleven bodies were recovered so far while 15 others were yet to be traced.

Adverse weather conditions prevented all the attempts by the Indian Air Force today to land their helicopters and carry out rescue and relief operations of Kailash Mansarovar pilgrims buried in the debris of the landslide.

However, three rescue teams from the Army, comprising 50 jawans, have reached the Mapla village in Pithoragarh district of Uttar Pradesh. Even they could not commence the rescue operations due to bad weather conditions prevailing at the accident area and large heaps of debris said to be about 15 mt high.

Two hundred and four persons, including 60 pilgrims, were killed in the accident early yesterday.

Two attempts were made by the IAF during the day to reach Mapla village, but the hostile weather conditions prevented the rescue operations, an Air Force spokesperson said. Army personnel who trecked to the area, were reportedly looking for survivors in the rubble.

The defence forces have made all preparations to carry out the relief operation and the government has given blanket clearance for the medical and relief operation.

The Central and the Western Air Command have been put on alert and transport aircraft have been loaded with relief supplies and medical aid. All the helipads in the region have been alerted.

The IAF has kept on stand-by Cheeta, MI-18, MI-17, Chetak helicopters, the spokesperson said, adding that attempts to land near the affected village would be made as soon as the weather conditions improve.

Meanwhile, the medical and para-medical staff in the region have been alerted for giving immediate attention to the injured.

The Army has been asked to reach near Mandakini river as the area has been blocked by boulders. They have been instructed to carry out strategic blasts to prevent breach of the canal.

Mapla is situated in a narrow valley about 60 km from Dharchula at an altitude of 2275 mt. The rescue operations have also been hampered due to the tough terrain of the site.

Protima Bedi, noted danseuse and former wife of film actor Kabir Bedi, was among the pilgrims.

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr Kalyan Singh, announced a relief of Rs 1 crore for the bereaved families.

A Cabinet meeting scheduled for today was cancelled as the Chief Minister had rushed to Pithoragarh, official sources said.

Mansarovar pilgrimage called off

NEW DELHI, Aug 19 (PTI) — The Government today called off any further pilgrimage this year to Mansarovar following the Pithoragarh landslide tragedy and said the two batches of yatris returning from China would be airlifted to safety.

An External Affairs Ministry spokesman told newspersons that further yatra had been cancelled as the weather was extremely hostile with incessant rains and heavy landslides along the route and there was no indication of any improvement.

The dead and those injured, all belonging to the 12th batch of yatris, would be flown by Air Force helicopters to Bareilly, he said adding that Northern Railways had been asked to provide reservation for relatives of the victims on a priority basis and the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam directed to tie up road transport arrangements.

The 10th and 11th batches of pilgrims on their way to China are expected to return on August 21 and 27 respectively, while the ninth batch, on its way back from the pilgrimage, is at present at Budhi, 8 km from Malpa, the site of yesterday’s tragedy. The 13th batch, which is at Didihat in Pithoragarh district, has been stopped from proceeding ahead as also the last 15th and 16th batches.

Kurukshetra insures pilgrims
From K.G. Dutt
Tribune News Service

KURUKSHETRA, Aug 19 — Every pilgrim visiting Kurukshetra for the Solar Eclipse on August 22 will be insured by the district administration. This is the first time that pilgrims visiting a mela will be insured.

This was stated here today by Mr T.V.S.N. Prasad, Deputy Commissioner, Kurukshetra at a press conference in the Kurukshetra Development Board Conference Hall.

The Deputy Commissioner explained that the entire town, up to its municipal limits, would be insured for 24 hours against any catastrophe natural calamity and food-poisoning incidents. The insurance cover provided by Oriental Insurance Company would be Rs, 50,000 per head.

Mr Prasad said this novel step had been taken following the drowning tragedy during the Geeta Jayanti celebrations.

Although the administration is taking stern measures to check food poisoning and a special laboratory has been set up for the purpose, the administration is not leaving.

Mr Prasad said the state government had allocated Rs 1 crore for the mela. He said his efforts were to create permanent structures in the mela area. For this purpose 327 drinking water taps were being installed around the Brahm Sarovar.

A new vacuum operated garbage collector had been pressed into service for keeping the surroundings clean, he said. Likewise a 5 km stretch from Gurdwara Chhewi Patshahi upto Pipli was being fitted with sodium lights. Special lights had also been fitted on Brahm Sarovar and Sannihit Tank.

Talking about cleanliness during the mela. Mr Prasad said that intensive spraying and fogging operations had been started to keep the town and the mela area free of mosquitoes and flies. The entire Brahm Sarovar and Sannihit Tank and other pilgrims centres around Kurukshetra have been given a new look.

The mela area has been divided into 13 sectors. Each sector will be manned by a magistrate. About 5000 security personnel including 2200 police officials and 800 home guards volunteers, 750 scouts and guides and 500 volunteers of social organisations would be deployed.

In order to meet the food requirements of the pilgrims, a market will be opened in Sector 17 where goods would be available at fair price rates. A make-shift hospital will also be operated.

To cope with pilgrims, 4 additional temporary bus stands have been constructed around Kurukshetra. The administration plans to close to vehicular traffic the road from Pipli to Kurukshetra on the evening of August 21st. This restriction will not be applicable to Kurukshetra residents.

Mr Prasad also issued prohibitory orders against carrying of arms and weapons during the mela days. All wine and meat shops around Kurukshetra will remain closed and a number of divers are being deployed around the tanks.

Talking about the roads of the city, Mr Prasad said repair work had been hampered by heavy rains but the main roads would be recarpeted when the rains let up.