Chief Minister Harish Rawat visited the disaster affected Bastadi village in Pithoragarh district where eight people are still missing since the heavy rain and landslide wreaked destruction on July 1. Reviewing the search, rescue and relief works being undertaken in the affected areas, the Chief Minister also met the bereaved family members of those killed in the disaster. The CM averred that the safety of disaster-affected people is the State Government’s priority. If the disaster victims voluntarily wish to live in a rented accommodation, the Government will provide the rent amount. Stating that tin sheds will be constructed for the cattle of the disaster affected, Rawat directed the Public Works Department official to start this task from July 6. He further directed the district magistrate to evaluate and prepare a report on the loss of disaster victims and submit the same within a week. Rawat said that till the estimation of damage is completed, the Kumaon commissioner Avnendra Singh Nayal will be camping in the affected area to conduct evaluation. The CM was informed by the district magistrate, that 39 members of nine affected families have been temporarily housed in the Singali primary school camp where the administration is also providing food to them. Red Cross Society Pithoragarh is reported to have distributed 38 kits containing relief material, torches, buckets, biscuits, tea leaves, juice, candles, matches and lighters while varied other items are also being distributed through other bodies.
The CM said that secure land should be identified for disaster affected villagers voluntarily wanting to relocate to safer locations while families which are now facing imminent threat should be immediately removed to safer locations. He said that the the State Government will construct temporary pucca homes for the affected. later, on receipt of the compensation amount the affected will be able to build homes for themselves with assistance also being provided by the authorities.
The government intends to facilitate construction of homes for the affected and provide one month ration free of cost. The next of kin of deceased who were government employees will soon be appointed in their place. Deceased, Maya Datt Bhatt, whose wife Uma Bhatt is in the Udma government primary school should be transferred to convenient place, it has been instructed. He directed the DM to make the transfer immediately under the rights of the education director.