Uttarakhand CM Dhami Reviews Disaster Preparedness As Heavy Rains Cause Landslides

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to ensure 24/7 vigilance by district and tehsil administrations for relief and rescue operations during the monsoon season.

In a high-level meeting held on Saturday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to remain on alert for disaster management during the monsoon season. The meeting convened at his residence in response to the recent heavy rains and landslides. CM Dhami reviewed the conditions of rain and roads across the state through virtual discussions with Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey and Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat.

CM Dhami reviewed the conditions of rain and roads across the state through virtual discussions with Garhwal Commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey and Kumaon Commissioner Deepak Rawat. The Chief Minister instructed both commissioners to regularly review and ensure the adequacy of road maintenance, drinking water supply, electricity, and drain cleaning in their respective divisions, according to the Uttarakhand CMO.

In a post on X, CM Dhami stated, "Instructions have been given to the officials that in case of disaster, the district and tehsil administration should be kept on alert 24*7 for relief and rescue work. In case of waterlogging, proper arrangements should be made for the accommodation and food of the disaster-affected people."

"Constant contact should be maintained with the control room established at the tehsil level and arrangements should be made to open the roads immediately in case they are closed. Officials were directed to make decisions on the opening and closing of schools only on the basis of the weather department's warning and local weather-related activities," he added.

Uttarakhand: Rain Triggers Landslides, 2 Dead In Separate Incidents

The recent spate of heavy rains has caused significant disruptions across Uttarakhand. A five-year-old child tragically drowned in a rainwater-filled pit in Dehradun, while a teenager was swept away by strong currents in a Haridwar rivulet on Friday. The teenager's body has yet to be recovered, although his two friends were rescued by locals, according to police, news agency PTI reported.

The State Emergency Operation Centre reported that landslides have blocked 88 rural motorable roads, two border roads, one state highway, and the national highway leading to the Badrinath temple. The Rishikesh-Badrinath National Highway remains obstructed at Lambagad, an area notoriously prone to landslides. In Rudraprayag district, debris from a landslide blocked the opening of an old tunnel, though no casualties were reported, stated Superintendent of Police Vishakha Ashok Bhadane, as per PTI.

Continuous heavy rainfall has led to severe waterlogging in Dehradun, affecting several key areas. District Magistrate Sonika visited the waterlogged sites, including Prince Chowk, the railway station, Saharanpur Chowk, Survey Chowk, and Araghar, to assess the situation. She instructed public works department officials to rectify the drainage system promptly and urged all officials to remain alert and ready to respond to emergencies.