Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday reached the disaster-affected Dharali region in Uttarkashi district to directly assess and supervise the ongoing relief and rescue operations. Despite challenging weather conditions, Mr. Dhami travelled to the ground zero area, met families affected by the cloudburst-triggered devastation, and assured that restoring normalcy and providing timely aid remain the state government’s topmost priority.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with Mr. Dhami to enquire about the situation. The Chief Minister informed the Prime Minister that state and central agencies are working in coordination to respond to the crisis. PM Modi assured full support from the Centre and appreciated the swift efforts being taken on the ground.
To accelerate relief efforts, the state government has deployed two helicopters to deliver essential food and relief materials to the affected zones. In addition, the Central Government has rushed in two Chinook and two MI-17 helicopters from Chandigarh, Sarsawa and Agra, which are currently being used to airlift heavy equipment to the Jolly Grant Airport. These assets are being used to restore road connectivity in the region.
More than 125 Army personnel and 83 ITBP jawans are actively involved in rescue operations, while Border Roads Organisation (BRO) teams and over 100 labourers are working to clear debris and reopen blocked routes.
To cater to the medical needs of the disaster-hit population, the state health department has reserved beds at Doon Medical College, Coronation District Hospital, and AIIMS Rishikesh. Teams of specialist doctors, including psychiatrists, have also been deployed to the affected areas to provide medical care and trauma counselling.
Relief camps have been set up in Harsil and Jhala, and efforts are underway to restore electricity, mobile connectivity, and water supply in the cut-off villages. Meanwhile, temporary bridges are being erected by teams from the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to ensure temporary but functional access routes.
A senior-level coordination team comprising IAS and IPS officers has also been dispatched to streamline the overall disaster response and ensure that logistical challenges do not hinder timely delivery of assistance.
CM Dhami’s visit to the region marks a strong message of on-ground leadership and proactive governance, as Uttarakhand battles yet another calamity during the monsoon season.
