In a bid to review the ground situation, Rudraprayag DM Dilip Jawalakar visited affected areas Madmaheshwar & Kalimath, which were cut off since cloudburst on June 16-17, on Saturday. During visit the DM interacted with local residents and sort out their grievances on the spot. During interaction people appraised that they had received free rations and getting regular ration from Public Distribution System (PDS) shops.
Due to disaster, transformer pillar came down so Ookhimath and Kalimath areas are getting three to four hour power supply in a day. To cope up with the situation district administration has distributed solar lights. Currently road condition is very poor so we have been giving stress on resumption of road connectivity. Rudraprayag-Gaurikund national highway washed away and now BRO are making all effort to resume the connectivity. Meanwhile we have appointed two doctors each in affected areas. Primary health centre (PHC) are running on war footing level.
During visit he came to know that 29 primary, middle and private school buildings are damaged and NGOs have taken initiative to reconstruct the buildings. Students have to travel inimical geographical condition to reach their school so we have made arrangement of school in easy accessible areas. In few place teachers are conducting classes in their villages. Due to poor infrastructure we are unable to appoint specialized doctors so seriously ill patients are being taken to higher centre through aerial route.
Talking about rehabilitation of villages, DM said that earlier 15 villages were identified for rehabilitation but now the figure has reached to 48 so we are conducting geological survey in and around the affected villages. Following the demands of local residents that they should be rehabilitated in Dehradun, Haridwar and Rishikesh we have referred their demand to the Government. He also made it clear that forest clearance is not becoming hurdle in road restoration. Meanwhile we are busy in assessment of loss of property on war footing level.
DM Jawalkar said that as river has changed its course so Kalimath temple area has come under sensitive zone. To save the temple from land erosion due to river course BSF has been constructing safety wall on eastern side of the temple and irrigation department is building the wall the western side. Even Irrigation department has been instructed to prepare Detail Project Report (DPR) about how to protect the area with the help of geographical experts. He found that Kalimath high school major portions washed away due to cloud burst so we have decided to transfer cooperative department land to the school. For this we have instructed SDM Ookhimath to complete necessary formalities on priority basis. Taking cognisance on discontinuation of ration supply in school under Mid Day Meal schemes, DM has instructed supply inspector of Food and civil supply to make sure supply of ration through mule or other medium. He also instructed SDM Ookhimath to conduct survey of damaged house and building.