Dehradun: First pictures that have come from Kedarnath shrine depict a dismal picture of devastation and destruction. Only rubble and huge boulders are seen around the Nandi statue at the exterior of the temple. Heavy rains, cloudburst and flash floods virtually submerged the Kedarnath shrine in mud and slush where 50 people died. The flash floods left over 70,000 pilgrims stranded, with almost the entire town of Kedarnath wiped out except the holy shrine. The temple town of Kedarnath, standing at a height of 11,760 feet was a picture of devastation after the overflowing Mandakini river wreaked havoc on the town. Rescue teams are yet to enter Kedarnath in large numbers with road links cut off and choppers the only link to reach Kedarnath.A nearly 10-feet high slush and mud has entered the Kedarnath shrine and adjoining temples, making it impossible for rescue workers to carry out their work. Pilgrimage to the shrines of Kedarnath and Badrinath in Uttarakhand cannot resume for the next three years due to extensive damage caused by heavy rains and floods.Kedarnath shrine was submerged in mud and slush where 50 people died.
Updated on: June 22, 2013 17:52 IST
