Garhwal Post Buerau
Dehradun, 11 Aug: According to government officials, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami is personally monitoring relief and restoration efforts following the collapse of the Bailey bridge at Tamak Nala on the Jyotirmath–Malari motor road in Chamoli district last evening.
Today, he reviewed the situation with the District Magistrate, Chamoli, and the Garhwal Commissioner and directed immediate action on the relief, supply of essential commodities and the restoration of connectivity.
The CM emphasised that the ration, food items, medicines and other essentials must reach affected villages without interruption. He instructed the officials to ensure delivery through alternative routes and available means wherever required. He also ordered urgent work on all the possible options to restore traffic movement on the Jyotirmath–Malari Road. The officers were directed by him to assess the actual damage on the ground themselves to avoid delays in relief and rehabilitation.
Considering the rising water flow and changing weather, Dhami directed special vigilance in the low-lying areas and near the rivers and the streams. He stressed that public safety is the highest priority, with continuous monitoring of sensitive zones and readiness to evacuate people to safe locations if necessary. The officials also claimed that the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) is also maintaining round-the-clock surveillance across Chamoli and other vulnerable districts and is coordinating with the local administration and the departments to activate rescue teams at short notice.
It may be recalled that, last evening, a bailey bridge constructed by 123 BRTF at Surai Thota was swept away by sudden heavy water flow at Tamak Nala. Reports confirmed that one person and a camper vehicle were caught in the torrent. Immediately after receiving the information, the CM had reportedly sought details from the Secretary, Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, and directed the rescue operations to be prioritised. SDRF and NDRF teams were rushed to the site, while local administration, police and departmental staff joined relief work.
The government has also asserted that its focus extends beyond rescue operations to uninterrupted supply of essentials, alternative connectivity and early restoration of normal movement and that its approach is proactive disaster management.
During the review meeting, Dhami reiterated that ensuring the safety of every citizen and restoring normalcy in affected areas at the earliest remain the government’s foremost priorities.
