Harbhajan rescued by Indian Air Force

India cricketer Harbhajan Singh, who was stranded in Joshimath due to incessant rains while on a pilgrimage, was rescued and taken to safety by the Indian Air Force.

"Rescued by 205 army aviation squadron based at mamoon pathankot.thank u.sweet memories with the air crew.god bless," a relieved Harbhajan wrote on his twitter page.

Flash floods, cloudbursts and landslides have claimed over a hundred lives in Uttarakhand and left thousands of pilgrims stranded.

The off-spinner took shelter at the ITBP camp at Joshimath since the last four days after he too could not reach Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara due to bad weather.

The off-spinner yesterday accompanied Indo-Tibetan Border Police officials to the forces' barracks and campuses where stranded pilgrims are being provided food and medicines.

Harbhajan took the role of a counsellor alongside ITBP personnel as he met a number of pilgrims hit by incessant rains and floods.

Photograph: Philip Brown/Reuters