'We are safe', Keralites stranded in Uttarakhand send message to family from Bhaironghati

A 28-member group of Kerala natives who got stranded in Uttarakhand following the massive landslide are currently camped at Bhaironghati near Gangotri, tour operators and Malayali association office bearers said. The group of Malayalis comprising eight people from Kerala (Thiruvananthapuram, Kayamkulam and Ernakulam) and 20 members settled in Mumbai were on the Char Dham yatra (pilgrimage of four holy sites). 

Ambili N Nair, a close relative of Narayanan Nair and Sree Devi Pillai, who are part of the group, said that they received a message around 5 pm on Wednesday saying that they are safe. "Sreedevi Pillai sent a message to her daughter-in-law saying not to worry and they are safe. We are in talks with the authorities for their safe return," Ambili said. She said that though they tried calling them back repeatedly, they couldn't reach them. 

The group left on August 2 and they were supposed to return next week. They took a bus from Haridwar and headed to Gangotri. Flash floods have washed away the roads. "Everyone is safe. They are getting food and water. We hope that roads will be cleared within two days, and if so, the passengers will be transported in army trucks," Abhinav Yadav, owner of tour services, told Onmanorama over the phone. Ajay Dhapa, the driver of the bus, is with the group, he said.

Dinesh Mayanat, President of All India Malayali Association and Uttarakhand Malayali Association, said that he has held talks with the authorities concerned and that the Keralites are in a safe place. "As soon as roads get cleared, we will find a way to ensure their return," he said.

Family members said that the authorities have told them that if the weather is ideal, possibilities of airlifting are also being explored. Three sisters- Sreerenjini Devi, Sreekala Devi and Sree Devi Pillai and their families are part of the pilgrimage group. 

The family was worried after news about the landslide began to circulate. They got in touch with their relatives in the armed forces, who managed to track the bus. The Malayali Association was also able to talk to the driver who is with the group.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sent a letter to his Uttarakhand counterpart, Pushkar Singh Dhami, seeking information on Keralites stranded there and has requested prompt intervention.