Financial assistance of Rs 5 lakhs each announced for disaster affected families in Basukedar
By Arun Pratap Singh
Garhwal Post Bureau
RUDRAPRAYAG, 30 Aug: Following a devastating cloudburst in the Basukedar area of Rudraprayag district on the night of August 28, villagers are still grappling with fear and isolation as essential services remain disrupted. Electricity and water supply have been completely cut off, and road connectivity has been blocked at multiple locations, plunging the affected communities into darkness and despair. The calamity has claimed lives, left several missing, and caused extensive damage to homes, livestock, and agricultural assets. Rescue and relief operations are being carried out on a war footing by the district administration, while Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced immediate financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each for the affected families.
The Chenagad area has borne the brunt of the disaster, with eight persons, four locals and four of Nepali origin, still untraceable. The SDRF is actively engaged in search operations, and debris clearance is underway. Tal Jamana, Bareth, and Dungar have also suffered severe damage. In Tal Jamana alone, around a dozen residential structures were buried under debris, and nearly twenty cattle were lost. With their homes destroyed, 162 villagers have taken shelter in the local school, where the administration has arranged tents and food supplies. The Basukedar–Guptkashi state highway remains closed at several points, and efforts are ongoing to restore connectivity.
Prem Singh Rawat, Nodal Officer and District Panchayat Raj Officer, confirmed that eight individuals are missing in Chenagad and that rescue teams are working round the clock. Two injured persons have received immediate medical attention. The officer also inspected the school premises, residential buildings, and cattle sheds to assess the extent of damage. Chief Veterinary Officer Ashish Rawat visited Tal Jamana and reported that fifteen animals, including one calf, three bulls, eight cows, and three buffaloes, are missing. Two animals were rescued from the debris, and fifteen injured animals are receiving primary treatment on-site. An eleven-member expert team from the Animal Husbandry Department has been deployed across affected areas to provide continuous care.
It may be recalled that the cloudburst has wreaked havoc across Basukedar tehsil, affecting Tal Jamana, Chenagad, Syur, and Laluri (Uchhola). Under the directive of District Magistrate Prateek Jain, the Executive Engineer of the Minor Irrigation Department has been appointed as the nodal officer to conduct rapid damage assessments and submit detailed reports. Special teams comprising engineers, revenue sub-inspectors, and village development officers have been constituted for each affected location. Officers appointed to oversee relief and rescue operations include Rajat Suman, Deputy Conservator of Forests, as Nodal Officer, and Yaksha Arora, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, along with Rahul Chaubey, District Tourism Development Officer, as Assistant Nodal Officers.
Dedicated teams have been deployed to Tal Jamana, Chenagad, Syur, and Uchhola, each comprising assistant and junior engineers from relevant departments, revenue sub-inspectors, and village development officers. District Magistrate Prateek Jain has issued strict instructions to all teams to conduct immediate surveys and submit comprehensive damage reports. He emphasised that the safety, relief, and rehabilitation of affected families are the administration’s top priority, and assured that all possible assistance would be extended through continuous monitoring.
It may also be reminded here that Chief Minister Dhami had on Saturday convened a high-level review meeting with senior officials, District Magistrates, and the police department to assess the disaster response. He had directed all departments to work in close coordination and reiterated the state government’s commitment to standing by the victims.
Meanwhile, in Chamoli district, a landslide near Animath in the Paini area of Joshimath has led to the collapse of an entire hill, blocking the Badrinath National Highway with debris and boulders. Though there was no reported loss of life or property, traffic came to a standstill and several vehicles were stranded. NHIDCL teams and the local administration are working to clear the road, while police have relocated passengers to safe zones and issued advisories urging caution during heavy rainfall and landslides. The Chardham yatra remains nearly suspended. It is noteworthy that Joshimath continues to suffer from structural cracks reported last year, and rehabilitation efforts are still underway. As a key halt on the Badrinath route, the town’s vulnerability remains a matter of concern amidst ongoing climatic instability.
The state administration shared this afternoon that the road connectivity has been improved on key highways in district Uttarkashi. The Gangotri National Highway is open for 4×4 vehicles between Harsil and Dharali and is fully operational for all traffic from Dharali to Gangotri.
The Yamunotri National Highway is blocked at Jangalchatti, Banas, and Naradchatti. Work is in progress to clear the road at Jangalchatti. The Barkot-Damta-Vikas Nagar National Highway is open to traffic. The Uttarkashi-Suwakholi motor road is open to traffic. The Uttarkashi-Lambgaon motor road is open to traffic.
