Chief Minister Reviews Flood Situation at State Emergency Operations Centre

Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the Uttarakhand State Emergency Operations Centre at IT Park on Sunday to assess the heavy rainfall affecting various parts of the state. In view of the monsoon, he directed all government and administrative officers to remain on 24-hour alert mode for the next two months.

He instructed officials to remain present on the ground to oversee arrangements personally during the monsoon period. Emphasizing the safety of Char Dham Yatra pilgrims, the Chief Minister directed district officials to make appropriate arrangements for their shelter, food, medicine, and milk for children. He also instructed that pregnant women be safely transported to hospitals for pre-natal care, and that suitable facilities be arranged accordingly.

Given the forecast of intense rainfall and in the interest of public safety, the Chief Minister announced a temporary suspension of the Char Dham Yatra for the next 24 hours.

He ordered all district collectors to evacuate people from disaster-prone areas near rivers, streams, and sensitive zones to safer locations. Ongoing construction sites were also to be monitored, ensuring the safety of laborers and residents.

Referring to the cloudburst incident in Barkot (Uttarkashi), the Chief Minister asked for an accelerated search and rescue operation. Of the 29 missing laborers, 20 have been rescued safely, and 2 bodies have been recovered. Efforts by NDRF, SDRF, and district authorities are ongoing.

In Rudraprayag, following a recent vehicle accident, the Chief Minister directed officials to intensify the search for the missing passengers.

Shri Dhami also asked all district authorities to create a database of pregnant women, especially those due to deliver by September, and ensure consistent updates. Adequate transportation and medical care should be arranged well in advance to ensure the safety of both mother and child.

He reviewed the impact of rain on roads and public infrastructure and instructed that damaged roads be repaired quickly. Sensitive areas should be equipped with adequate JCB machines and disaster management tools. Where necessary, river channelization and other protective measures should be implemented proactively.

Present at the review were Chief Secretary Shri Anand Bardhan, Principal Secretary Shri R.K. Sudhanshu, Secretary Shri Shailesh Bagauli, Shri Vinod Kumar Suman, Garhwal Commissioner Shri Vinay Shankar Pandey, IG Garhwal Shri Rajeev Swaroop, Additional Secretary Shri Banshidhar Tiwari, Additional CEO Shri Anand Swaroop, and Shri Rajkumar Negi, along with all district magistrates who joined virtually.

— Information & Public Relations Department