Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami Reviews Disaster-Affected Areas in Rudraprayag District

Rudraprayag, Sept 2025 : Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted an aerial survey of disaster-affected areas in the Basukedar region of Rudraprayag district, covering villages including Taljaman, Dungar, Badeth, Jaula, Kamad, Uchola, Chainagad, and Patuy. He later held a meeting at the District Panchayat Hall, Rudraprayag, to review ongoing relief and rescue operations, the availability of electricity, drinking water, medical and health facilities, updates on motorable roads, and arrangements for the Kedarnath pilgrimage.

The Chief Minister stated that the state faced challenging conditions and difficulties due to disasters during this year’s monsoon season. He expressed deep sympathy for those affected and appreciated the prompt and efficient response of the district administration. He noted that the proactive involvement of local authorities and elected representatives in the affected areas had boosted the morale of the victims.

CM Dhami expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing full support during the crisis, noting that the PM received timely updates on disaster situations across the state. Upon reaching Dehradun, the Chief Minister met with affected residents and announced ₹1,200 crore in immediate relief funds for the disaster-hit areas.

He instructed officials to remain on alert until September 30 to be fully prepared for any further emergencies and issued specific directions to remove encroachments from riverbeds. The Chief Minister emphasized that, following the monsoon, there is likely to be a significant increase in Kedarnath pilgrims, and therefore all pilgrimage arrangements must be well-prepared and efficiently managed. He stressed that pilgrim safety is the top priority, and all necessary measures should be executed at a war-footing to ensure smooth travel.

District Magistrate Rudraprayag, Prateek Jain, briefed the Chief Minister on the situation in monsoon-affected areas and regions impacted by the August 28 disaster. He provided detailed information on evacuation arrangements, shelter in relief camps, distribution of food kits, refreshment kits, solar lights, blankets, tents, tarpaulins, torches, medical facilities, and medical camps. He also highlighted human resources deployed for relief work, airlifting pregnant women via helicopter, livestock losses, damage to private property, cowsheds, roads, drinking water schemes, electricity poles and transformers, and agricultural land.

The DM further presented details on damage and repair work on Jwadi Bypass, Sirobagad, Munkatia, Gaurikund Highway, and other sensitive locations, as well as the pedestrian route to Kedarnath. Estimates for the second phase of Kedarnath Yatra pilgrims, helicopter services, and other arrangements were also provided.

MLAs of Rudraprayag and Kedarnath expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for his swift action during the disaster and briefed him on local damages, road construction, and other issues.

Also present were Medical, Health & Education Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat, District Panchayat Chairperson Poonam Kathait, MLA Rudraprayag Bharat Chaudhary, MLA Kedarnath Asha Nautiyal, State Minister Chandi Prasad Bhatt, District Panchayat Vice-Chairperson Ritu Negi, BJP District President Bharat Bhushan Bhatt, former BJP District President Mahavir Panwar, DM Prateek Jain, SP Akshay Prahlad Konde, ADM Shyam Singh Rana, along with other departmental officials, elected representatives, and members of the public.

Department of Information & Public Relations, Uttarakhand