Sri Hemkunth Sahib - heavy rains

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Following the rumours regarding damage in Gurdwara Gobind Dham in Hemkunt Sahib, Madan Singh GS, chairman of Shri Hemkunt Sahib Trust, has clarified that all the devotees are safe and even Guru Granth Sahib had already been placed at a safe place.

"The rumours regarding death of several devotees and even damage to entire gurdwara building are false. Relatives of devotees should not be in panic. Trust with the help of Army and government is making all arrangements for the devotees to be sent at safe places," he said.

More than 12,000 devotees, who had been stranded, had been taken to safe places by Army where an arrangement for langar and doctors has been made, according to Davinder Pal Singh, manager. Still, about 2,000 devotees are stranded in Gurdwara Gobind Dham building and all arrangements are being made for their safe evacuation.

While ration stores, cars, machinery, bridge, residential building, part of langar hall and parking area of gurdwara had been damaged due to floods, the remaining gurdwara building is safe and no loss of life has happened, clarified the trust members.

Meanwhile, the residents whose relatives have been left stranded were anxious and were not able to contact them. The yatra has been discontinued for the time being.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/all-devotees-safe-says-hemkunt-sahib-trust/1130666/

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Uttrakhand, India (June 18, 2013): According to media reports, Narinder Jeet Singh Bindra, Chairman of Uttarakhand Minorities Commission, said today that the main building of Gurdwara Sahib of Gobind Ghat in Uttarakhand is safe and none of the Saroops of of Guru Granth Sahib were lost due to rains as was feared.

Condition near Gobind Ghat (June 17, 2013)
According to a news reported on the website of Zee News: Bindra, who is also the Vice Chairman of Sri Hemkunt Sahib Management Trust (SHSMT), claimed over phone that there was no loss of life reported so far, even though many vehicles have been washed away.

It is notable that there were some reports in media bout the loss of Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib but refuting the media reports Bindra reportedly maintained that there is no loss of Birs of Guru Granth Sahib, we have shifted Birs to higher places.

He also refuted the reports about Darbar Hall of Gurdwara Gobind Ghat being washed away.

As per reports Bindra confirmed that few rooms of Gurdwara complex were washed away and main building the Gurdwara Sahib is safe as it is on higher place.

http://www.sikhsiyasat.net/2013/06/18/main-building-of-gurdwara-gobind-ghat-is-safe-no-saroops-were-lost-chairman-of-sri-hemkunt-sahib-mgt-trust/

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131 dead; toll may rise, 500 still missing

HARIDWAR/ SHIMLA: Swollen mountain rivers fed by heavy rains destroyed homes and property in many areas in north India even as the monsoon downpour continued, leading to flooding and many rivers rising dangerously. The famous Kedarnath shrine virtually submerged in mud and slush where 50 people died in the unprecedented flash floods. The death count in floods reached 131 while 74,000 tourists and pilgrims are stranded at various locations following floods and landslides.

The Kedarnath shrine, one of the four holy dhams, in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand bore the brunt of torrential rains. About 500 people, including several pilgrims, are said to be missing in the area.

Kukhimath sub divisional magistrate Rakesh Tewari told reporters after his return from Kedarnarth that 50 bodies are lying in areas adjacent to the shrine.

We are right now concentrating on rescuing those who are alive, he said.

The death toll may rise significantly once water recedes and relief teams are able to access the affected areas. A portion of the Kedarnath temple compound was washed away but authorities said no damages were reported to the structure itself.

The Ram Bada area, a busy spot near the temple, has been completely submerged and was not visible from rescue choppers. Army central command officials said that nearly 6,000 to 8,000 people are stranded in Kedarnath, 2,500 in Hemkunt Sahib and around 8,000 in Badrinath.

More than a dozen helicopters have been deployed in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh -- the two states worst hit in the flash floods -- for relief and rescue operations and all stranded people are expected to be evacuated soon.

Flash floods, cloudbursts and landslides have so far claimed 131 lives in northern India. Thousands have been displaced in Uttar Pradesh where several rivers are in spate. The death toll in Uttarakhand has reached 102. Rudraprayag district was the worst hit with 20 people dead and 73 buildings, including 40 hotels, along the banks of the Alaknanda swept away in the swirling waters of the river.

A total of 71,440 pilgrims bound for the Himalayan shrines of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri are stranded in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts of Uttarakhand with the famous char dham yatra having been suspended due to massive landslides and damage to the road network.

http://www.punjabnewsline.com/news/rain-rampage-131-dead-toll-may-rise-500-still-missing/81233