Helpline to inform about AP pilgrims stranded in Uttarakhand

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government Tuesday started a helpline to provide information about the pilgrims, stranded in Uttarakhand due to heavy rains in that state.

"In order to attend the calls from the relatives of pilgrims a control room with the telephone number 040-23451043 has been opened," the State Disaster Management Commissioner T Radha said in a release.

The details of the stranded passengers in Uttarakhand state may be sent to Collectors or Mandal Revenue Officers concerned, it said.

The AP disaster management officials have contacted their counterparts in Uttarakhand, who said efforts were on for the rescue and relief of the stranded passengers, including pilgrims from AP.

Citing Uttarakhand officials, the release said 10 Choppers are in operation for rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the stranded passengers.

The roads are being cleared on a priority basis.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy spoke to his Uttarakhand counterpart Vijay Bahuguna earlier and requested his government to help the stranded pilgrims from AP.

PTI