Life after death & destruction biggest challenge in U’khand

2,000 Villages Damaged By Flash Floods

Joshimath: As the helicopter weaves through the mountains along the Alaknanda valley to this roadhead to Badrinath, what you see can shake the stoutest heart. Village after village lies in ruins. Broken roads, damaged 
buildings—some of them houses, some shops or schools or infirmaries—twisted electric poles, scattered debris: it is a picture of total devastation. 
    "Two years back I took voluntary retirement to settle down in my village. I built a guesthouse here from my savings. This one disaster has taken away everything. My village house has been destroyed too and I am forced to live here in the relief camp," said Prawesh Rana, a resident of Joshimath.

TEARFUL FAREWELL: Flight Lt Tapan Kapoor's mother Lata breaks down at his funeral in Delhi on Friday. The 27-year-old aeronautics engineer from Chandni Chowk was among 20 men killed in the Mi-17 helicopter crash in Gaurikund, Uttarakhand, on Tuesday. The bravehearts were given a guard of honour in two solemn ceremonies in Dehradun and Hindon air base. Kapoor was cremated with full state honours| P 15