Char Dham Yatra to remain suspended
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 29 Jul: Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop today reviewed disaster management and relief operations through video conferencing with district magistrates and senior administrative officers of the division. He directed that relief work in areas affected by heavy rainfall be expedited and that motor roads blocked due to rains be restored on a war‑footing with priority. At the same time, it was decided to keep the Char Dham Yatra suspended in view of alert for heavy rains over next two to three days.
The Commissioner instructed the district magistrates concerned to immediately assess the damage to government and private property caused by the disaster and to ensure timely distribution of ex‑gratia assistance to families affected by loss of life or livestock due to landslides and heavy rains. He also directed the departmental machinery to remain on round‑the‑clock alert mode. He emphasised that special attention must be given to the safety of people residing along streams and rivers and, if required, such families should be shifted to safe locations with proper arrangements for shelter, food and other essential facilities. He also directed close monitoring of drainage systems in plains to prevent waterlogging.
Swaroop also made it clear that there should be no delay in relief and rescue operations wherever natural calamities occur during the monsoon. He said that adequate funds have already been provided to all districts under the disaster relief head and if any district requires additional funds, the demand should be immediately submitted to the government. He also reviewed the distribution of ex‑gratia assistance to disaster‑affected families and instructed that updated status of pending disaster mitigation proposals at the government level be made available without delay to ensure timely action.
Reviewing the Char Dham Yatra, the Commissioner said that the safety of pilgrims is the highest priority of the government. In view of heavy rainfall warnings issued by the Meteorological Department, he directed that the yatra be halted temporarily in adverse conditions and pilgrims be accommodated at safe halts. He instructed all district magistrates to maintain constant vigilance in sensitive areas and to keep local resources and disaster management systems fully active to deal effectively with any emergency.
Among those who participated in the video conference included Additional Commissioner Uttam Singh Chauhan along with district magistrates of Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri, Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi.
