File picture of Uttarakhand rescue operations

In a major relief to anxious families of pilgrims from Tamil Nadu who had gone to Uttarakhand, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has said that all but three of the 671 pilgrims from the state have been rescued, located or contacted.One of the three missing persons is believed to be from Ramanathapuram district.In a statement, Ms jayalalithaa said 11 pilgrims from the Villupuram district have been located at Gaurikund and efforts are being taken to airlift them by helicopters.Officials from Tamil Nadu have also established contact with 382 other pilgrims and Ms Jayalalithaa adds they would soon be brought to Delhi.

A few days ago, in a statement, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister had said only 399 pilgrims from the state were stranded in Uttarakhand following the devastating monsoon fury, also being called as the Himalayan Tsunami. Ms jayalalithaa had then ordered a team of senior officials to move to Dehradun to bring back all pilgrims to Tamil Nadu on the state's expense. A helpline was also established in the Tamil Nadu House in Delhi.157 pilgrims have already returned to Chennai. Ms Jayalalithaa says 118 more would return on Saturday and Sunday.