M A I N   N E W S

Seven of family killed in U’khand roof collapse
Tribune News Service

Dehradun, July 10
Seven members of a family were killed when the roof of their house collapsed at Bhikona village in Pokhara tehsil, Chamoli, late last night.

The incident occurred around 3.30 am when falling debris from the hillside, where the house was located, hit the house following incessant rain in the area for the past few days.

The victims have been identified as Sajjan Lal (58), his wife Purni Devi (55), Sanjay (35), his wife Neelam Devi (30), and their three daughters Krishti (6), Sristhi (4) and Kamini (2).

Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has expressed grief over the deaths and directed Chamoli District Magistrate SA Murugesan to provide ex gratia to the bereaved family.

Relief operations in disaster-hit Uttarakhand continued with the state government sending a 10-member team to Kedarnath after a 55-member team was evacuated by Army and IAF helicopters on Tuesday.

Rudraprayag DIG Amit Sinha said a permanent helipad would be built at Garudchatti to facilitate operations at Kedarnath from the Garudchatti base camp.

Helicopters undertook 48 sorties in Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh districts and dropped 178 quintals of relief material in the disaster-hit areas.

4 workers dead

Four workers were killed when a JCB machine engaged in road repair work fell into a gorge in Dwarikhal block of Pauri Garhwal district. Those dead included the driver of the JCB and three labourers.