Over a hundred “Char Dham” pilgrims belonging to Adilabad have been reported safe after experiencing a harrowing time in the devastating floods in Uttarakhand. Though there was no report on the condition of these pilgrims in the initial days of the disaster, details are emerging slowly about the number and names of those who were in the journey.

According to information, most of the pilgrims had returned to safer places or were on their return journey when the calamity struck the holy centres. They had gone in batches through tour operators to visit Haridwar, Rishikesh, Badrinath, Kedarnath and Yamunotri and Gangotri.

Sources said, a batch of 28 pilgrims comprising mainly of Marwari businessmen from Kagaznagar and neighbouring Chandrapur-Ballarshah in Maharashtra are on their way back to the district. The pilgrims had to return from Haridwar as tragedy had struck even as they started for their tour ahead.

Another batch of 34 pilgrims which is also returning safely has as its members from Bhainsa area and Nizamabad. These pilgrims reportedly escaped landslides and faced considerable hardships before reaching New Delhi.

The 31 pilgrims from Nirmal and Lokeswaram areas who were also returning safely had to walk for 15 km after the roads were blocked following landslips. They are now in Delihi waiting to catch transport.

Source: The Hindu, DT. June 24, 2013.