Garhwal Post Bureau
RUDRAPRAYAG, 13 Sept: Demonstrating solidarity with disaster-affected Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has sent significant relief materials to Rudraprayag district, which continues to struggle with the aftermath of a devastating natural calamity. Acting under his direction, the Uttar Pradesh government dispatched six truckloads of essential supplies, including food grains, ration kits, tarpaulins, tents and other critical items. The Rudraprayag district administration has conveyed deep gratitude to the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister for this timely humanitarian support.
The disaster, caused by incessant and excessive rainfall, has brought havoc across numerous gram panchayats in the Bangar region of Basukedar tehsil. Villages such as Dungar, Badeth, Jola, Taljaman, Uchhola, Baksir, Mathya, Ghanghasu, Bhunal, Khod, Syur, Kimana, Dankot, Patiyon, Dangi, Kudi Aduli, Bhatwari and Bakola have borne the brunt of the destruction, with extensive damage to homes and livestock. Relief materials have been airlifted by helicopters and transported through alternative means to reach these remote regions.
In continuation of aid measures, six relief trucks from UP have reached the Rudraprayag district headquarters on Friday. Packed with ration kits, food grains, tarpaulins, tents, buckets and other essential articles, the consignment is being distributed among the affected families under the supervision of the local administration. Officials acknowledged that this quick response from Uttar Pradesh has given vital support to residents during a crisis of such magnitude.
Even after 16 days, the tragedy at Chenagad in Basukedar tehsil continues to pose challenges as nine missing persons remain untraced. Six machines have been deployed to clear debris and assist the search operations, while NDRF, SDRF, DRDF and police teams have been working relentlessly since the day of the disaster. Advanced drones and specialised equipment are being used to locate individuals trapped beneath the rubble, though the presence of heavy boulders has slowed progress. Despite this, rescue teams have been working from dawn to dusk. On Friday, two large and four small machines removed large volumes of debris, and a damaged bus buried under the rubble was retrieved with JCBs, marking a notable step forward in the operation. Restoration work on the Chenagad road by the Public Works Department has also helped to facilitate faster relief and rescue efforts.
District Magistrate Prateek Jain, who is personally monitoring operations, affirmed that locating the missing persons remains a primary focus. He has been regularly inspecting the ongoing work at the site and instructed field teams to maintain round-the-clock efforts from sunrise to sunset until every possible lead is exhausted.
Parallel to rescue and relief, special attention is being paid to healthcare. Medical teams are stationed in affected villages such as Baksir Bangar, Taljaman, Badeth, Syur and Uchhola, conducting health check-ups, supplying medicines and providing on-site treatment. Essential items, temporary shelters and food grains have been arranged to ensure that impacted families are supported in every possible way. District Magistrate Jain appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with the ongoing operations, assuring that every effort is being made to bring relief and assistance until the situation stabilises.
