4 days ago
Missing Kerala pilgrims safe after U'khand cloudburst
Tripunithura: A group of 28 Keralites, earlier reported missing during their Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand, has been confirmed safe after surviving a devastating cloudburst that triggered flash floods and landslides in the region.
The tourists are currently sheltered in a military camp. Though present at the location when the cloudburst struck, the group escaped harm. Of the 28 members, 20 are Keralites settled in Maharashtra, while the remaining eight are from various districts in Kerala.
Among them is a Tripunithura-based couple, Narayanan Nair and his wife Sreedevi. Speaking to TOI, Sreedevi said, "We are safe here in the Uttarakhand military camp.
As per the information from officials, road traffic is expected to resume in two days. Till then, we will remain here."
Narayanan, a retired Spices Board officer and Sreedevi had left for the Char Dham pilgrimage six days ago. They had completed visits to all the major shrines and were preparing to return when the disaster struck.
Back home, members of the Palliparambukavu Residents Association, where the couple has a house, tried to contact them after hearing about the cloudburst but were initially unsuccessful.
Their neighbour, Padmanabhan, said contact was only established by Wednesday noon.
Their son, calling from abroad, was able to reach them first and inform the residents' association of their safety. Sreedevi later shared a voice message in the association's WhatsApp group, assuring everyone that they were safe and would return once road access is restored.
