Commissioner, Garhwal, provides update on Rescue, Search & Relief Operations in Dharali
Garhwal Post Bureau
Uttarkashi, 11 Aug: Garhwal Divisional Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey, during a media briefing at the Disaster Control Room in Uttarkashi, shared details on the relief and rescue operations underway in the Dharali disaster-affected area and the ongoing search for missing persons.
The Commissioner reported that, as per the Chief Minister’s directions, distribution of immediate ex-gratia payments of Rs 5 lakh each to disaster-affected families of Dharali village has commenced. In line with the CM’s announcement, a better relief and rehabilitation package is being prepared. For this, a high-level three-member committee headed by the Revenue Secretary has been formed. The committee members will visit Uttarkashi to assess the damage and hold discussions with affected residents.
The Commissioner said that the rescue operation has led to the safe evacuation of 1,278 people from the affected area. All stranded outsiders and local residents in need have been evacuated. The administration’s top priority is to locate individuals buried under the debris. An NDRF team, along with a specially appointed officer, has been deployed on site. The IG, SDRF, is camping in the area, and a special team of 10 expert geologists from Dehradun has been sent. The District Magistrate is stationed in the affected area to personally monitor relief, rescue, and search operations. Adequate supplies of food grains, clothing, and daily essentials have been provided to the affected population.
According to the latest figures, 43 people were reported missing in the disaster. The body of one youth from Dharali, Akash Panwar, has been recovered and financial assistance has been given to his family. Among the remaining 42 missing persons are 9 Army personnel, 8 residents of Dharali, 5 from nearby areas, 1 from Tehri district, 13 from Bihar, and 6 from Uttar Pradesh.
Additionally, reports were received of 29 missing Nepali workers. With mobile connectivity restored in some areas, contact has been made with 5 of them. Information on the remaining 24 is still incomplete as contractors have not provided full details. Contractors have been instructed to obtain mobile numbers and other particulars from the workers’ native villages. It is believed that, like the five already traced, the others may also have relocated. During the Kedarnath disaster, many people reported missing were later found to have safely returned home. Efforts are underway to trace missing persons from other states by contacting their families, and a clear picture is expected in a day or two.
The Commissioner stated that work to drain the lake formed on the Bhagirathi River at Harsil has started from yesterday, carried out by the Irrigation Department and Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd.
The Commissioner added that road connectivity restoration work in the disaster-affected area is progressing rapidly. Last night, a valley bridge at Limchiyagad was completed. Work is now underway to restore damaged roads in the Dabranī and Songad areas, with road connectivity expected to be restored by Tuesday evening. Following the construction of the Limchiyagad valley bridge, heavy machinery has been transported to Dabranī.
On the approximately 5 km foot route from Dabranī to Songad, a help post and medical camp have been set up, along with SDRF and wireless teams. Gas cylinders are being transported by mules between Dabranī and Songad. In areas where the road is blocked, transshipment is being used to supply essential goods to affected regions. Continuous contact is being maintained with affected villages through trained “Aapda Mitra” volunteers and the Panchayati Raj Department. Mobile connectivity is available in the affected areas, and the disaster control room is operational round-the-clock to ensure immediate assistance whenever needed.
Inspector General of Police, Garhwal Range, Rajeev Swaroop, was also present during the media briefing.
