Expressing grief over the loss of human life following heavy rain and landslides in parts of Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts since Thursday, Chief Minister Harish Rawat announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of those killed.
Returning to the State Capital on Friday from his official tour to Delhi, the Chief Minister cancelled all his scheduled tasks and went to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) at the Secretariat here.
Meanwhile, Governor KK Paul, expressing grief at the death and damage, asked the senior officials of the disaster management and related departments to monitor the rescue and relief works. Expressing hope that necessary relief will be provided swiftly to the affected, he said that taking serious cognisance of this disaster at the start of the monsoon season, extra precautions also need to be taken.
Directly reaching the SEOC from the airport, the Chief Minister reviewed the condition in all the districts along with disaster management officials. Rawat also said that the State and local administration response to the disaster showed an improvement this time compared to the past.
Rawat talked to all District Magistrates on the phone on the situation in their areas. Directing all the DMs to remain fully alert and ensure timely provision of necessary preparations, he told the DMs of Chamoli and Pithoragarh districts to personally monitor the rescue and relief work while also directing that immediate relief be ensured for the disaster affected.
He spoke of alerting those living along the riverbanks and low-lying areas and, if need be, shifting them to safer locations. Stressing that the district disaster control rooms remain fully active, he stressed on ensuring that Government personnel reach the people in disaster-affected areas.
Regarding the condition of the Char Dham Yatra circuit, the Chief Minister was informed that the Kedarnath pilgrimage was going on without hindrance or danger. Pilgrimage to the other shrines is also completely secure, claimed the officials, while also adding that roads had been blocked at places by debris and work is underway to clear and reopen these roads to traffic soon. Rawat told officials to conduct precautionary search on the pilgrimage route to ascertain that no pilgrim is stranded or in need of help.
Talking to officials of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam limited, Rawat directed that the telecom lines be restored wherever they had been severed. He said that BSNl communication services get disrupted in rain in the State, considering which provision should also be made for alternative arrangements. The Ministry of Telecom should be requested again to approve the licence sought by Uttarakhand for the proposed purchase of 22 satellite phones.