Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 23 Aug: Secretary Disaster Management, Vinod Kumar Suman and the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) have informed that following the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, relief and rescue operations are being carried out on a war footing in Tharali, where heavy rains triggered a massive flow of debris in the market area and adjoining localities late last night. It was also informed that more than 150 affected persons have been shifted and provided shelter elsewhere.
Teams from the district administration, police, SDRF, NDRF, Army, SSB, and ITBP are engaged in clearing the debris and assisting the local population. The CM is personally monitoring the operations and is receiving continuous updates from Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, from Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, and from Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari. The CM has instructed all agencies to work with their complete capacity to ensure immediate relief and safety of the people.
On Saturday morning, the Chief Secretary reached the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) and reviewed the ongoing efforts after taking a detailed update from District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari. He directed that the situation in Tharali be normalised at the earliest, and that the relief and rescue operations be carried out in an expeditious manner alongside arrangements to meet the basic requirements of the affected families. Underlining the urgency that there should be no shortcomings at any level, he instructed the officials to deploy whatever resources were required without any delay. He also directed that the restoration of water, electricity, and communication services in the affected area be taken up on priority while ensuring close coordination amongst departments and relief agencies. He asked the District Magistrate to maintain constant supervision at ground zero and to immediately convey to the government if any further support was required.
Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman informed the media heavy rain caused a massive flow of debris into the Tharali market and surrounding areas from the Toonri stream in Tharali tehsil late last night. Several houses including the SDM’s residence were damaged and shops in Chepro Bazaar and Kotdweep Bazaar were filled with debris. Many vehicles were buried under the silt. On receiving the information, teams from the district administration and police rushed to the site, while NDRF and SDRF teams were also dispatched. The Karnaprayag–Gwaldam road was damaged in several stretches and clearance work is being undertaken on a priority basis.
Heavy rains last night have caused extensive damage to the Chepdo village market, about five kilometres from Tharali tehsil headquarters. The Chepdo market was completely devastated. The roads between Tharali and Chepado market have also been wiped out, which is why it took time for the rescue team to reach the area. The rescue team’s first priority was to build a helipad so that the injured could be airlifted to AIIMS, Rishikesh. The helipad has been constructed.
The Secretary also confirmed that the body of a young woman has been recovered so far, while the search continues for another missing person in Chepro Bazaar.. Appealing to the people of Tharali to maintain patience during this crisis, he assured them that relief and rescue teams are working ceaselessly and the government stands firmly with the affected families. He has instructed that families living in vulnerable houses be shifted to safe locations without delay and has ordered arrangements for their shelter, food, and medical care.
Suman reached the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) early this morning in order to monitor the relief and rescue operations and he sought a detailed briefing from District Magistrate Chamoli, Dr Sandeep Tiwari and has been also providing hourly updates to the CM. Additional Secretary and Additional Chief Executive Officer of Administration Anand Swaroop, Additional Chief Executive Officer of Implementation DIG Rajkumar Negi, and Joint Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Obaidullah Ansari also reached the control room at 5 am. They immediately deployed Army, SSB, NDRF, and SDRF units to the affected site and remain in constant coordination with officers in the field. The officials have been facilitating the movement of relief teams, helicopter services, and other critical resources while receiving regular feedback from departmental nodal officers present in the control room.
Since late Friday night, the district administration is engaged in continuous operations under the supervision of DM Sandeep Tiwari, who was present at ground zero. He has appealed to the public to maintain calm and assured them that the administration will spare no effort to restore normalcy at the earliest. He confirmed that NDRF, SDRF, and police teams are working at multiple sites and that the road near Harmoni has been cleared. In view of the persistent heavy rains, the administration has ordered closure of all schools in Tharali, Dewal, and Narayanbagar blocks, and has advised residents to remain at safe places and to contact local authorities in case of emergencies.
Chamoli Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Abhishek Gupta informed that the health department has mobilised a medical team in Tharali. Four medical officers, six staff nurses, a pharmacist, and one driver along with an ambulance equipped with life-saving medicines have been stationed at the Tharali Community Health Centre. Additionally, two 108 ambulances and two specialist doctors have been deputed from SDH Karnaprayag, along with an extra medical officer from PHC Dewal.
The CM also held telephonic discussions with public representatives from Chamoli district to gather first-hand information about the situation. Expressing sorrow over the tragedy, he urged them to extend full cooperation to the district administration in relief and rehabilitation measures. He also spoke to the local MLA and requested him to remain on the spot to oversee ongoing operations personally.
Suman shared with the media that more than 150 officials and employees including District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari, SP Sarvesh Panwar, SDM Tharali, SDM Karnaprayag, officers from the Army, police, SDRF, ITBP, NDRF, SSB, Fire Department, PWD, Electricity Department, Jal Sansthan, and Health Department are presently engaged in relief operations. He also informed that according to a preliminary estimate, around 10 to 12 houses have been severely damaged by debris and 20 to 25 partially affected by silt and water, while two houses have been completely destroyed. Ten major roads are blocked and several electricity poles and wires damaged, leading to temporary disruption of power supply. Around five JCBs are deployed to remove heavy debris and a helicopter of UCAU has been kept on standby at Gauchar, but the prevailing adverse weather conditions have so far prevented it from taking off.
He also shared that over 150 residents directly affected by the disaster have been shifted to safety and are being accommodated at the tehsil premises where complete arrangements for food, water, shelter, medical care, and other essential requirements have been made under direct instructions of the CM. The DM Chamoli has further ordered the use of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam guesthouse and office complex at Kulsari, as well as Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Dewal, as additional relief camps to provide adequate facilities to displaced families.
