ALLAHABAD: Hundreds of pilgrims stranded between GovindGhat and Joshimath were evacuated on foot by the Army on Monday morning. Although further evacuation was disrupted due to a major landslide in the area, the Army provided food, medical aid and shelter to the pilgrims stuck in the area.

Wing commander B B Pande, public relations officer of defence, Allahabad and Lucknow, said that following incessant rainfall and flash floods in various regions of Uttarakhand, the Army has been providing continuous humanitarian aid to thousands of pilgrims over the past 36 hours. Army assistance centres have been established at Harsil, Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Joshimath, Govindghat, Hanuman Chetti and Darchula to provide information and essential supplies to stranded pilgrims.

Army has launched a dozen reconnaissance parties to inaccessible areas to obtain first hand information. Five columns are already in location to provide assistance on ground. Ten columns have been kept on standby to move at short notice to flood affected areas. The Army reportedly mobilised these columns without waiting for any request from civil administration. Eight Quick Reaction Medical teams have established medical aid posts at Rudraprayag, Joshimath, Govindghat and Darchula to provide immediate life-saving medical assistance. Besides, stranded pilgrims are being given expert and specialist medical advice on telephone via virtual network through Surya Medical Emergency helpline at 18001805558 and 18004190282, said the PRO.