In Pithoragarh’s Bastadi village, where cloudburst was reported, merging several houses under the debris, a survey is being done by SDM Didihaat and the affected families are being provided proper accommodation in the relief centre, it is learnt.
It is also learnt that two medical teams led by chief medical officer (CMO) are treating the affected people. Chief animal husbandry officer has opened temporary veterinary hospital in Sigali and animals are being treated there. Besides, the administration has been conducting sanitization work in the affected areas.
In Pithoragarh district, Rs 1.39 crore has been disbursed as interim relief among the affected families. SDRF have been conducting relief operation and water is being transported through tankers in the areas hit by water scarcity. To ensure safe drinking water, chlorine tablets are being distributed and clean water is being provided through solar water purification machine, the administration claimed.
This aside, Rs 42 lakh has been disbursed among 255 affected families in Chamoli district as an interim relief, the administrative officials said. To ensure distribution of compensation among the affected families, the State Government has appointed relief commissioner in Pithoragarh district. It is further claimed that Kailash Mansaroval Yatra is running smoothly. Its third batch has returned to Gala from Sirkha after completing their yatra, while the fourth team is in Kailash, the fifth team is in China region, the sixth team left for Nabhidhang from Gunji and the seventh started their journey towards Gala from sirkha.
As per the assessment, 115 roads under PMGSY had been affected till July 8 and 15 more roads were blocked on July 9. However, 34 roads were opened for transportation so far, the administration claimed. Executive agencies are working to open the 96 roads, including 87 in rural areas. Roads leading to Char Dham are open and National Highways are open too. PWD has uploaded road status on information department’s website pwd.uk.gov.in.
As per the electricity department officials, power connection of 1185 villages/toks had snapped in the wake of the rains. However, the power connection of 1175 villages have resumed so far. Things in the remaining 10 villages are being repaired. In Ghat of Chamoli district, 90 villages remained bereft of electricity for days following the rain. However, the supply in 84 villages have been restored. The lines in the remaining six villages are being rectified.
It is also learnt that 87 water pipelines were affected by the disaster. Now things are normal for 77 of them and repairing work is going on in the rest and they would be completed by July 11. In Chamoli district, water pipelines were damaged in 31 places. All but one have been repaired.
In Bastadi village, pipelines were damaged at 19 points, but nine points are yet to be repaired. The pipelines damaged in Bhatwadi of Uttarkashi, Bageshwar, Almora, Tehri and Nainital have been repaired so far.
The administration claimed that they are taking measures to ensure that the affected families in Pithoragarh were kept in relief camps. Panchayat Ghar of Bastadi in Didihaat, junior high school Naulada in Munsyari, government inter- college in Sighali, primary school in Sighali and primary school in Pattharmot are being used as relief camps to shelter those rendered homeless. In these camps, the affected people are being provided with free food and free accommodation as well. Animal camps have been opened too and administration is providing fodder to them regularly, the officials claimed.