The sobs of Dharali, devastated by the deluge, also got choked in the debris. The roads also broke off from the area groaning due to the disaster. This isolated high Himalayan region kept the hopes of relief and rescue in its pensive eyes, then it was in dire need of both sympathy and courage. In such a critical moment, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami also understood this pain and without wasting time, took charge at ground zero for two days. By being active and taking decisions immediately, Dhami has created a strong image as the political leadership of the state with administrative capability. If the head of the government himself is stationed in the disaster-affected area, then it is not possible for the machinery to be lax in relief and rescue operations. The entire system remained active from Dehradun to Uttarkashi.
When Chief Minister Dhami reached the disaster-affected areas first, the victims also hugged him, put their head on his shoulder and started crying after finding him among them. Dhami was among them in the form of consolation and confidence. In Uttarkashi district itself, in November 2023, 41 workers were trapped due to the collapse of an under-construction tunnel in Silkyara. Even in that hour of disaster, Chief Minister Dhami had camped on the spot as the leader of the government. The continuous support received from the Center became more effective with his presence on the spot. Even then, Dhami had established his image at the national level as the political leader of the state with administrative capability. On the occasion of Dharali disaster, Dhami once again reached among the affected in Uttarkashi district. Dhami, who returned to Dehradun late in the evening leaving his tour of Andhra Pradesh midway on Tuesday, reached the State Disaster Operations Center directly.
Better coordination among agencies due to the presence of the Chief Minister
The Chief Minister has been on ground zero for two days by making relief a mission. Along with conducting relief and rescue operations on a war footing, he is taking information every moment. The Chief Minister is also keeping an eye on the system at every level. As a result, the entire machinery of disaster management is functional round the clock. Senior officials of the government are constantly in touch with the Chief Minister as well as relief and rescue teams through the State Disaster Operations Center located in Dehradun. Due to being cut off from road connectivity and bridge, heli services played a role in speeding up relief and rescue operations. The effect of the Chief Minister’s presence is clearly visible in better coordination with NDRF, SDRF, Army, ITBP and other central and state agencies. Under his leadership, the mobilization of resources for rescue operations also gained momentum.
The state government is getting full support from the Army
In this entire operation, 2 Chinooks, 2 MI-17, four other helicopters of the Indian Air Force, eight helicopters of the state government, one Army ALH and two Cheetah helicopters are being operated. Due to this, relief is reaching the affected people rapidly.
At the ground level, a total of 479 officers and employees including 150 jawans of Rajputana Rifles, 12 commandos of Ghatak Team, 69 of NDRF, 50 of SDRF, four medical teams, 9 fire teams, 130 ITBP jawans, and 15 BRO personnel are deployed day and night. Apart from this, 814 additional jawans have been deployed directly in the affected area from other areas.
Priority given to opening closed roads, smooth supply of electricity and water
The Chief Minister asked to immediately airlift the seriously injured to Dehradun or AIIMS Rishikesh. He is personally monitoring that there is no shortage of food, water, medicines and other necessities in the relief camps. More than 2000 food packets were sent for the affected. Dry ration is being airlifted to Harshil, from where it will be delivered to remote villages. Efforts are also being made to open closed roads, restore internet service, and repair broken electricity and drinking water lines.
Dhami among the disaster affected in Pauri, tears of the victims flowed
Chief Minister Dhami on Thursday conducted a field inspection of the disaster-affected Naitha Bazar, Saanji village and Bankura area of Pauri district and met mothers and sisters. During this, the disaster victims could not stop their tears after seeing CM Dhami. Dhami assured them that he is standing with them in every crisis like a son and brother.
Dhami will give one month’s salary for disaster relief work
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced that he will give one month’s salary in disaster relief work. He said that the government is standing with the disaster affected at every step. In difficult circumstances, everyone should unite and help the victims. He also appealed to public representatives, officials, voluntary organizations and common citizens to also cooperate in the relief work according to their capacity.
