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Journalism of Courage
The siege of Uttarkashi town continues. For the sixth day in a row, a part of the town, also known as Kashi of the Himalayas has been hit by massive landslides.
Stones, mud, uprooted trees and debris continued to shower on Uttarkashi town today threatening even larger residential areas forcing the district administration to close all schools and colleges in the city for three days as a precautionary measure.
A red alert has already been declared following landslides on Varunavat mountains. The landslides have so far destroyed six hotels situated on the Gangotri National Highway in the heart of the town besides damaging residential and official buildings. A power sub-station has also been damaged.
The district administration has set up seven relief camps for more than 3,000 people who have been evacuated from the affected areas. Camps have also been set up in various schools and other educational institutions in the safer areas. These camps are presently housing 500 people, while the rest have moved in with their relatives or friends.
The RSS too has started a camp to feed more than 700 people daily. Some other social organisations have also come forwards to help with food and shelter.
A delegation of the main Opposition party the BJP today visited Uttarkashi for an on the spot assessment of the disaster and the relief measures taken by the Uttaranchal government. BJP MLA Matbar Singh Kandari along with other state leaders criticised the state government for its failure to do anything worthwhile for the affected population.
Uttaranchal Chief Minister N.D. Tiwari had yesterday visited the affected town and announced relief measures including the assessment of the damaged buildings.
