How is Uttarkashi Responding to the Recent Catastrophe?

Dehradun, Aug 8 (NationPress) After the Uttarkashi region of Uttarakhand was recently devastated by a severe cloudburst and mudslides, relief and rescue operations are currently being executed with utmost urgency. This effort is led by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who is directly overseeing the coordinated efforts of disaster management teams.

Since early morning, Chinook and Cheetah helicopters have been engaged in airlifting stranded pilgrims to the elevated areas of Dharali and Harshil. Medical teams have been deployed at various sites to provide care to those affected.

The comprehensive rescue team, comprising over 800 personnel from the Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), state government, and local administration, are actively working on the ground. Medical units are stationed in Dharali, Harshil, and Matli to deliver immediate first-aid to the impacted individuals.

Reports from the rescue teams indicate that over 382 pilgrims have been successfully evacuated from Harshil, one of the areas severely affected by the raging flash floods.

Two Chinook helicopters, two MI-17s, and four Air Force helicopters are operational to rescue individuals stranded in areas affected by the cloudburst. Additionally, eight helicopters have been allocated by the state administration to assist in transporting people to safer locations.

The rescue and relief workforce includes more than 150 Rajputana Rifles personnel, 10 Special Forces members, over 250 ITBP jawans, 112 NDRF members, and 73 SDRF personnel. Numerous staff from the state police and local agencies, alongside six rescue dogs, are present at the site, along with over two dozen officials from the Fire Department and 50 doctors and paramedics from the Armed Forces, who are providing essential support.

Details of individuals rescued from the mudslide-affected areas include - 274 airlifted from Gangotri to Harshil, 19 from Gangotri to Neelang, 260 from Harshil to Matli, and 112 transported from Harshil to Jolly Grant airstrip, totaling 382 pilgrims from Harshil. Efforts are ongoing to reunite them with their families and restore normalcy.

Over 2,500 ready-to-eat food packets have been distributed in Harshil. The state Food and Supply Department is also organizing meals for the displaced population and sending provisions directly to the affected areas.

CM Dhami has been stationed in Dharali to uplift the morale of the disaster management teams, maintaining close communication with senior officers from the Army, ITBP, and the state administration to monitor the ongoing situation.

This morning, the Chief Minister reviewed the relief operations in Dharali, noting that helicopter services are working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the people.

He also urged officials to expedite the restoration of roads, communication, electricity, and food supplies.

Additionally, CM Dhami convened a high-level meeting with ITBP, NDRF, and the Uttarakhand DGP to accelerate the relief operations, emphasizing the prompt rescue of stranded individuals, the deployment of teams in remote areas, heli-lifting operations, and the provisioning of essential resources.