By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 28 Feb: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the State Emergency Operations Centre at IT Park here this evening to hold a meeting with officials regarding the avalanche near Mana village in Chamoli district. During this visit, he instructed the officials to expedite the rescue operation and gathered complete information about the avalanche situation.
The CM directed officials to reach the spot as soon as possible and emphasised on the need to open the closest helipad quickly to facilitate the rescue operation. He also ordered drone surveillance of the area and suggested using helicopters for rescue efforts. He further instructed that all injured individuals be transported to AIIMS Rishikesh via air ambulance if necessary and urged constant coordination with the district administration to provide all possible assistance.
Speaking to the media today, Dhami assured that relief and rescue work were ongoing after the avalanche. The ITBP, Army, District Administration, and Air Force are all engaged in the efforts, with continuous communication among them. However, due to low visibility, helicopters are currently unable to operate. Snow experts are being utilised, and ITBP personnel are working at the incident site. The top priority remains the safe rescue of the workers, with helpline numbers being issued for those affected.
The CM also mentioned that the state government is in constant touch with the central government, including the Prime Minister’s Office, Home Minister, and Defence Minister in this case. Any necessary agency will be involved in the rescue operation. He also reported that 10 people have been taken to the ITBP hospital. The ongoing snowfall is causing roadblocks, but the weather is expected to clear tomorrow, which will aid in speeding up the rescue efforts. All rescue teams are working in coordination, and preparations are complete at AIIMS Rishikesh, Srinagar Medical College, and District Hospital Gopeshwar.
Dhami received a comprehensive update on the incident from District Magistrate Chamoli, Sandeep Tiwari, via a virtual connection from the Centre itself. Tiwari reported that the avalanche occurred near the Border Roads Organization between Mana village and Mana Pass, affecting labourers clearing snow for army movement. Subsequently, rescue teams from ITBP, NDRF, SDRF, and the army were dispatched to the site.
Officials present at the meeting included Chief Secretary Radha Raturi, Principal Secretary RK Sudhanshu, Secretaries Shailesh Bagauli and Vinod Kumar Suman, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey beside others.
