I was at Ghangaria that day and was to visit Hemkund Sahib the next day. The news trickled in around 1630pm. As per eye witnesses, the glacier enroute gave way and people who were crossing the area below were wiped off including a pony guy. nobody knew the number of casuality. the entire community staying at the Gurudwara(Ghangaria) swung into action. Around 1000 people went there, cleared the road and brought the people who were stranded. Then the wounded were brought in by bittus(Carried on baskets in the back)to the Gurudwara. The Gurudwara seems to have brought in the dead only in the night. It was raining in the night. It was a pathetic sight since the town is so small, didnot have a hospital, any specialist doctor or electricity. No police were in sight and there were only few home guards. there was absolute chaos. I saw the ITBP (from Joshimath) on its way the next day, could not have reached the sight before twelve. I heard that a total of 18 were affected(8 dead, 5 missing, 5 seriously injured). The route was closed for three days and i returned back. The Disaster Mgmt was pathetic. The Sikh pilgrims from the Gurudwara did almost all the rescue alongwith locals. The Gurudwara as well as local administration were inequipped since such a avalanche has not happened in the last ten years. The airlift(private) happened only the next day and ITBP reached next day when its common knowledge that none buried in snow survives beyond 30 minutes. Will we improve. Edwin
I am the Pilot of Helicopter of Trans Bharat Aviation, flyin on Phata-Kedarnath Sector, We got the news at 1030 PM yesterday, Today took off at around First Light 0515 AM, There are more bodies still below snow, I dropped Rescue Persons at the Avalanche site, Brought Injured to Joshimath Military Hospital, Things are really bad there, It will take time to find out exact number of people still burried under the snow, their belongings are scattered all over, almost till 1000 Feet down in the 'Nala' of avalanche. Few died even during evacuation and in hospital at Joshimath. I feel pevilaged to be of some help to the needy people.
RE:I did the rescue
by paramdeep mann on Jun 27, 2008 12:56 PM Permalink
Hi, I am Paramdeep Singh Mann From Bathinda. My father was there at Govind Dham on Tuesday 24th June. But he was not part of that snow accident. But due to low sugar and Bp he was airlifted to on 24th from Govind dham 7:30 am, for Joshimath Military Hospital but was not admitted there coz reported that he was not alive. If u are aware if he expired in helicopter or he expired after reaching joshimath. its hard to remember but please try if you can. My number is 09314099009
chamoli comes in Uttrachal state and Dehradun is teh capital of Uttaranchal. there is no way one can write Chamoli district in Dehradun. Rediff should have enough knowledge before they publish the info.
I have visited ghangharia and hemkund sahib, the place is v beautiful with a handful of hotels. It is tragic that such a thing happened, I hope no one died.
