The Indian Air Force’s Chinook and Mi-17 helicopters joined rescue operations in Uttarakhand to evacuate stranded pilgrims on the rain-ravaged trek route to Kedarnath.The trek route to Kedarnath was severely damaged by a cloudburst in Junglechatti near Lincholi on Wednesday night.Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reported that 5,000 people have been evacuated to safety since rescue operations began on Thursday morning, with some being airlifted.The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) assisted in the rescue efforts.Heavy rain caused extensive damage, prompting the involvement of the entire government machinery, the NDRF, SDRF, district administration, and the state’s disaster management department in rescue work.The IAF’s Chinook and MI17 helicopters joined the operations at the request of the Chief Minister to the PMO.The Chief Minister expressed hope that if weather conditions remain favorable, all stranded pilgrims will be evacuated to safe locations by the evening.Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Chief Minister, offering all possible help and inquiring about the relief and rescue operations.By Friday at 3:30 pm, nearly 21,00 people were rescued.Aerial and surface rescue operations on Thursday by NDRF and SDRF personnel led to the safe evacuation of more than 3,000 pilgrims.The state government distributed 18,000 food packets and 35,000 water bottles to stranded pilgrims in Kedarnath, Lincholi, Bhimbali, Sonprayag, Shersi, Guptkashi, and Chaimasi.Additional Chief Medical Officer Vimal Gusain reported that 286 people received medical care.The district administration issued helpline numbers 7579257572 and 01364-233387, and emergency number 112 for information about stranded family members.Pilgrims got stranded beyond Bhimbali along the Gaurikund-Kedarnath trek route when a 20-25 meter stretch of the road was washed out by the Mandakini river on Wednesday night.The trek route to the Himalayan temple is blocked by boulders at Ghoraparav, Lincholi, Badi Lincholi, and Bhimbali, but the stranded pilgrims are safe.The yatra to Kedarnath has been temporarily halted, with an advisory from the district administration asking pilgrims to wait until the route is cleared and restored.