Uttarakhand Avalanche: CM Dhami Inspects Disaster Control Room
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Synopsis
Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the disaster control room to oversee rescue operations for 52 BRO workers trapped in an avalanche. He emphasized collaboration among agencies and announced a helpline for affected families while monitoring the situation closely.
Key Takeaways
- CM Dhami inspected the disaster control room.
- 52 BRO workers are trapped due to an avalanche.
- A temporary control room will be set up in Joshimath.
- Rescue operations are ongoing with over 65 personnel involved.
- Helpline established for families of trapped workers.
Dehradun, March 1 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, arrived at the disaster control room on Friday evening to evaluate the situation and instructed officials to expedite the rescue efforts in the state after an avalanche ensnared 52 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) workers.
He has been diligently overseeing and assessing the ongoing initiatives, reaffirming the state government's dedication to ensuring the safety and assistance of all individuals affected.
CM Dhami stated that all agencies are mobilizing at a rapid pace to conduct relief and rescue operations, assuring that the trapped workers will be evacuated promptly.
He also urged the NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and the Army to work collaboratively to clear the snow.
On Friday, the Uttarakhand CM announced the creation of a temporary control room in Joshimath to enhance monitoring of the ongoing rescue efforts.
"The PMO, HMO, and RMO are consistently receiving updates about the situation. Indian Air Force helicopters are on standby and will commence operations as soon as the weather permits. Some rescue teams are also approaching the site by road. We will establish a temporary control room in Joshimath," CM Dhami informed reporters.
He also indicated that the state government has launched a helpline to support the families of the trapped workers, who hail from various states.
"Since the trapped workers come from different states, we have issued helpline numbers for their families. We are hoping for everyone's safe return," he added.
The disaster management secretary of Uttarakhand, Vinod Kumar Suman, reported that 33 trapped workers have been rescued, with 22 still unaccounted for amid harsh weather conditions.
Correcting earlier reports, Suman clarified that two of the initially counted 57 trapped workers were actually on leave, adjusting the total number of individuals caught in the avalanche at the BRO camp to 55.
Out of these, 33 have been saved, while efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining 22, he stated.
According to a list provided by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority, the trapped workers come from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir, among others. However, the list does not indicate the home states of 10 laborers.
Suman recognized the challenges posed by the deep snow, which is nearly seven feet high near the avalanche site. Despite these obstacles, he mentioned that more than 65 personnel are actively engaged in the rescue efforts.
