Garhwal Post Bureau
DEHRADUN, 30 Aug: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday conducted a comprehensive review of ongoing relief and rescue efforts in disaster-stricken regions of the state. During the meeting, he issued firm instructions to the officials to maintain utmost vigilance and take all necessary precautions to safeguard lives and property in zones facing heightened risk due to the relentless monsoon.
The CM also stressed on the need for prompt and coordinated action to provide timely assistance to those affected, in view of the meteorological department’s alert predicting further adverse weather in the coming days, and insisted that the disaster management machinery remain perpetually on standby to tackle emergencies as they arise.
During the meeting, senior government officials and the District Magistrates, connected through the Uttarakhand Disaster Operations Centre, presented detailed reports before the CM, on the situation in their respective regions. Dhami acknowledged that disasters are largely uncontrollable but commended the relief and rescue teams for reaching affected areas without delay and he urged all the departments to retain their swiftness and work in close coordination to ensure maximum aid to people in distress. When discussing the Syana Chatti zone in Uttarkashi district, he also mentioned the rise in river water levels caused by debris and issued instructions to the officials to promptly clear the debris from the river banks and safely relocated, so as to prevent further blockages during the rainfall.
With the monsoon continuing to disrupt connectivity and submerge large stretches of land, Dhami also emphasised on the importance of restoring essential services on a war footing. He directed the Secretary, Public Works Department (PWD) to prioritise and complete all necessary procedures for road repairs ahead of the forthcoming increase in Char Dham pilgrimage traffic and the approaching festive season. Departments concerned were directed to open blocked roads swiftly and reestablish power and water supplies at the earliest. Veterinary teams from the Animal Husbandry Department were instructed to visit all villages and care for injured animals. Dhami conveyed to DMs that there should be no hesitation in seeking further support from the state government to intensify relief and rescue operations. He pressed on the need for prompt action by the Secretary of Disaster Management and Rehabilitation, including immediate release of funds for districts requiring urgent aid.
The Chief Minister also mandated a continuous monitoring of water levels in rivers and streams by the officials, with clear directions to evacuate residents from vulnerable areas at the first sign of danger. He reiterated that encroachments on riverbanks must be strictly avoided and removed if found. He ordered a permanent deployment of Irrigation Department officials at all dams across Uttarakhand, ensuring that prior warning is given to district administrations before any water is released, and that all necessary measures are in place to protect lives and property from the dangers posed by sudden discharges.
Among those who were present in the meeting included Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Secretary Home Shailesh Bagouli, DGP Deepam Seth, Secretary Dr Pankaj Pandey, Secretary Disaster Management and Rehabilitation Vinod Kumar Suman, Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat, as well as all the DM and SSPs/SPs.
