CM reaches State Disaster Control Room, issues strict directions for rescue operations
By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 5 Aug: Cutting short his visit to Andhra Pradesh, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has arrived at the State Disaster Control Room in Dehradun. He is reviewing the relief and rescue operations in the Dharali area of Uttarkashi, which was hit by a cloudburst. Dhami reached the State Disaster Control Room in Dehradun today. He will review the ongoing relief and rescue efforts and discuss disaster management strategies with senior government officials.
In pursuance of the directions issued by the CM, 3 IAS officers and several senior Police officers besides doctors and paramedical staff have been deputed in Uttarkashi. The IAS officers have been told to oversee the relief and rescue operations in Dharali. The officers are Abhishek Ruhela, Meharban Singh Bisht and Gaurav Kumar. In addition, besides several senior IPS officers, 160 police officials of rank of Inspector and below have been deputed in Uttarkashi for the rescue and relief work.
Senior Indian Police Service officers, including Inspector General of Police (SDRF) Arun Mohan Joshi and Inspector General of Police (Garhwal Range) Rajiv Swaroop, along with Pradeep Kumar Rai, Amit Srivastava (I), Surjeet Singh Panwar, Shweta Choubey, one Deputy Commandant, and 11 Deputy Superintendents of Police, have been immediately dispatched to Uttarkashi to lead relief and coordination efforts.
Considering the gravity of the disaster, Health Secretary Dr R. Rajesh Kumar has directed a team of specialist doctors to be dispatched to the Dharali area immediately. This team includes surgeons, anaesthetists, physicians, and orthopaedic surgeons. The operations of this team have been entrusted to the Director of Medical Health and Family Welfare of the Garhwal Division, who has been appointed as the nodal officer for this disaster.
The CM has has instructed the District Magistrate of Uttarkashi and other concerned officials to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing. He has directed the Army, SDRF, NDRF, district administration, and other teams engaged in the rescue efforts to coordinate effectively and carry out relief work promptly. Dhami has also instructed the Education Department and the District Magistrate to close all educational and other institutions in the affected area, with the exception of emergency services. He has also directed that network connectivity be restored as soon as possible to maintain contact with the affected people. Dhami has instructed officials to arrange for accommodation, food, and medicines for the disaster-affected people in the Dharali and Harsil areas in hotels and homestays immediately after their rescue. The Chief Minister has also directed senior military officials to make arrangements for clearing the lake that has formed in the Harsil area as soon as possible.
The Chief Minister has instructed the use of the Air Force’s MI-17 helicopters to airlift the affected people and to immediately send food, medicines, and clothes. He added that the government is the guardian of all such people and is fully responsible for their livelihood.
