Garhwal Post Bureau
Chamoli, 12 Aug: District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar today carried out a ground inspection of Tamak Nala, including the Bailey bridge, to review the ongoing relief and rescue operations. Earlier, he also conducted an aerial survey of the upper catchment area to assess the impact and circumstances of the flash floods. During the inspection, he directed the officials to ensure corrective and preventive measures to minimise damage from such incidents in the future.
The DM stated that the Disaster Management Department has engaged a specialist institute to conduct a scientific study of the actual causes of the flash flood so that effective safety and rescue measures can be ensured in the future.
On the Jyotirmath–Malari motor road, the Bailey bridge constructed by 123 BRTF at Suraithota was completely washed away due to heavy water flow. One person, working as Havildar with the BRO and a camper vehicle were swept away in the sudden surge. Upon receiving information, teams from the Indian Army, NDRF and SDRF immediately began relief and rescue operations. The local administration, police and other departments are also taking necessary action and continuously monitoring the situation. Meanwhile the search operation for Pankaj who had been swept away continues for the third day today.
The DM met affected villagers and listened to their problems. He directed the SDM Jyotirmath to conduct an immediate survey of damage to fields, crops, panchayat buildings and other assets, and to provide maximum possible assistance to affected people as per rules. He also instructed the District Mining Officer to carry out river dredging in Tamak Nala and adjoining river areas as required, to regulate water flow and reduce risks of flooding and strong currents in the future.
The DM also reviewed the search for the missing person and the ongoing rescue campaign by the Army, NDRF and SDRF, directing that the operation be conducted with full alertness and coordination. Present during the inspection were Superintendent of Police Surjit Singh Panwar, SDM Chandrashekhar Vashishtha, Colonel Shantanu, Lieutenant Colonel Vivek, Major Vikas, District Disaster Management Officer Nand Kishore Joshi, officers and staff of BRO, NDRF, SDRF, other departmental officials and local villagers.
It may also be pertinent to remind here that following the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the district administration and departments concerned acted swiftly to restore traffic by laying hume pipes in the nala and preparing a temporary motor road. With this arrangement, vehicular movement had resumed last night. Teams of the administration and departments remain on site, working on war footing to restore the route. SDM Chandrashekhar Vashishtha informed that the temporary road has been prepared and traffic flow has been made smooth.
