CM Dhami Reaches State Emergency Operations Centre Immediately After Returning from Delhi
179 Trekkers and Mountaineers Stranded in Uttarkashi and Pindari Glacier Area; Eight Helicopters Deployed for Rescue
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, immediately after returning from Delhi, reached the State Emergency Operations Centre at IT Park and personally reviewed the relief and rescue operations being conducted for trekkers and mountaineers stranded during high-altitude trekking in the state’s upper Himalayan regions.
Taking note of the seriousness of the situation, the Chief Minister sought an updated report from officials on the rescue operations and directed them to accord the highest priority to the safe evacuation of every stranded person.
During a meeting with senior officials at the State Emergency Operations Centre, Dhami took detailed information about the number of stranded trekkers and mountaineers in various districts, their current locations, the rescues carried out so far and the arrangements being made to evacuate those still stranded.
He directed officials to ensure that there was no negligence at any level during the rescue operation and that all available resources were used effectively, keeping weather and difficult geographical conditions in mind.
Secretary Disaster Management Vinod Kumar Suman informed the Chief Minister that information had been received about a total of 179 trekkers and mountaineers stranded while undertaking high-altitude treks in different parts of the state. Of these, 136 were stranded in Uttarkashi district, while 43 were in the Pindari area of Bageshwar district.
The Chief Minister sought a detailed update on the rescue operation in Uttarkashi. Officials informed him that 40 of the 136 people stranded there had been safely rescued. Another 40 people had so far declined rescue assistance and expressed their desire to continue their journey.
The rescue operation to evacuate the remaining trekkers and mountaineers safely would resume at 6 am on Monday, officials said.
Dhami directed officials to keep the safety of trekkers, mountaineers and porters as the top priority throughout the rescue operation. He said additional resources should be arranged immediately wherever required and all agencies concerned should work in close coordination to ensure the effective conduct of the operation.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that a total of eight helicopters had been deployed for the rescue operation. Dhami directed that available aerial resources be used immediately whenever required. He also instructed officials to keep a heli-ambulance on standby so that immediate medical assistance could be provided to anyone requiring treatment during the rescue operation.
The Chief Minister also spoke to the District Magistrate of Uttarkashi to take stock of the situation on the ground. The District Magistrate informed him that, considering the weather and prevailing conditions, the rescue operation for the remaining trekkers and mountaineers would resume at 6 am on Monday.
Dhami directed that all necessary assistance and resources be made available to the rescue teams and that the operation be continuously monitored.
The Chief Minister said the safety of residents as well as tourists, pilgrims and trekkers visiting Uttarakhand was the state government’s highest priority. He directed all district magistrates and concerned departments to maintain continuous surveillance in vulnerable areas and immediately initiate relief and rescue operations in case of any emergency.
CM Dhami Also Reviews Char Dham Yatra Arrangements
During the meeting, Chief Minister Dhami also reviewed the current arrangements for the Char Dham Yatra. He sought information about facilities, security, cleanliness and other essential arrangements for pilgrims at the Char Dham shrines and along the pilgrimage routes, and directed officials to continuously improve the arrangements.
The Chief Minister particularly instructed officials to establish robust and permanent solid waste management systems at all major religious and tourist destinations, including the Char Dham sites.
He said that given the growing scale of the Char Dham Yatra and religious tourism, it would not be sufficient to make arrangements only according to present requirements. A long-term and sustainable solid waste management plan should be prepared keeping future needs in mind, he said.
Dhami directed the departments concerned to work in coordination to develop a system that ensures cleanliness at the shrines and religious sites, environmental protection and convenience for pilgrims simultaneously.
He said that while preserving Uttarakhand’s religious and natural heritage, travel and tourism arrangements must be made more organised and sustainable.
The Chief Minister further directed that every government mechanism should function with full preparedness during disaster situations and that there should be no compromise on the safety of any person during rescue operations.
He instructed officials to continuously monitor weather conditions and ensure that the administration, police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other concerned agencies remain fully alert in vulnerable areas.
Secretary Disaster Management Vinod Kumar Suman, Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swarup and officials from the Disaster Management Department and other concerned departments were present at the meeting.
