New Delhi, Aug 8 (NationPress) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami conducted a review of the active relief and rescue operations in Dharali on Friday, emphasizing that significant efforts are underway to ensure the safe evacuation of all individuals affected and to restore normalcy in public life as swiftly as possible.

As the search for survivors in the devastated village intensifies, helicopters are being utilized to aid in the efforts.

In a morning post on X, the CM highlighted that rescue operations are being executed with urgency, with MI-17 and Chinook helicopters lending assistance.

“This morning, I reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue operations in Dharali. With the support of helicopter services, including MI-17 and Chinook, we are conducting a rescue operation on a war footing to ensure the safe return of people,” he stated.

The CM indicated that with the aid of the Centre, measures are being taken to restore roads, communication, and electricity.

“Under the guidance of the esteemed Prime Minister Shri @narendramodiji, we are receiving full cooperation from the Central Government. During this time, officials were instructed to prioritize the restoration of roads, communication, electricity, and food supply,” he added in his post.

CM Dhami further remarked, “We are committed to ensuring the safe evacuation of all affected individuals and restoring normal public life at the earliest.”

On Thursday, the CM visited the disaster-stricken Pauri Garhwal district to evaluate the damages inflicted by a devastating cloudburst that occurred a day prior. The cloudburst in the Pabau and Thalisain blocks led to multiple casualties and extensive destruction of homes, roads, and bridges. Accompanied by officials and local leaders, CM Dhami directed the administration to accelerate rescue and relief operations, assuring affected families of all possible assistance while actively monitoring the situation.

In Dharali, at least 50 civilians, eight soldiers, and a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) remain missing following the flash flood and landslides triggered by the cloudburst on August 5.

Following the cloudburst, the area remains hard to access, with crucial road links at Bartwari, Linchigad, Gangrani, Harsil, and Dharali suffering severe damage. The Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police are providing food, medical aid, and shelter to stranded tourists.

Restoration efforts are in progress, but challenges due to weather and terrain continue to pose difficulties.

The Army has reported that tourists are being evacuated from the Nelong helipad on return sorties. The Military helipad at Harsil is fully operational.

The Nelong helipad is functioning and connected by road to Gangotri, facilitating smoother movement for tourists and relief personnel. However, the civil helipad in Dharali remains non-operational due to a mudslide.

In close collaboration with civil authorities and other agencies, the Army has intensified its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.

Army officials have also deployed search and rescue dogs in key sectors to assist in locating survivors and missing personnel.