SHIMLA, Jun 25: The State and IAF choppers today evacuated over 130 persons stranded at various places in rain ravaged Kinnaur district, raising the total number of people airlifted so far to 1,395.
During the rescue operation, 95 persons were evacuated from Sangla, 18 from Gaybang, 16 from Pooh, 9 from Peo and one from Hango.
Majority of the outsiders and tourists have been evacuated and focus has shifted to local people and dropping of commodities at various place still cut off by road, an official said.
Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) P Mitra who chaired meeting officers in Kinnaur, directed them to speed up restoration works in the district.
As per the information provided by Deputy Commissioner Kinnaur, J M Pathania, 200-300 persons were still stranded which included local people who had gone to attend functions of their kith and kin in different parts of the district and elsewhere.
Pathania said that besides the helicopter of the state government, three helicopters of Indian Air Force had been pressed into service for airlifting the stranded people.
People have also been rescued on foot by a team of National Disaster Response Force.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said funds amounting Rs 28 crore have been released as an immediate relief measure but the estimated loss to property, roads and crops was estimated at Rs 2,575 crore.
As per the latest update, the road between Akpa Bridge to Kiran-khud and Sumdo-Kaza-Gramphoo axis has been restored but the approach road to Skiba village along with National Highway had sunk while the road to Kharo had been badly damaged and take about a week for restoration, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) officials said.
Meanwhile, six truck loads of flour have been dispatched to Tapri and Peo and sufficient stocks of essential commodities are available for more than a month.
Further, 2,520 litres of Kerosene Oil was airlifted to Sangla on June 23 and 24 and remaining 2,480 litres of oil would be airlifted to Sangla valley after the weather clears, officials said. (PTI)
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