Fake relief efforts reported after Uttarkashi’s Dharali tragedy, police issue alert

PURNIMA BISHT/Dehradun

After the Dharali flash flood on August 5 which left six confirmed dead and several feared missing, multiple social media pages have begun claiming to be NGOs or organisations working on the ground to assist victims. Most of these social media pages are soliciting donations while using images and videos that do not belong to the incident site. Several Uttarakhand residents have commented under such posts pointing out the false visuals and narration. Many allege their comments were deleted or hidden by the page administrators. Dehradun resident Akanksha Devrani said that she came across an Instagram advertisement from an organisation claiming to distribute relief supplies in Dharali. “They showed random mountain images and people lying dead on the ground. I realised these were not from Uttarakhand. I commented about it but it was deleted. I reported the video but I am sure many people from across the country must have donated with the intention of helping the victims,” she said. This correspondent also observed that similar posts have circulated on other platforms, showing groups of people assisting disaster-affected individuals, with narrations claiming the scenes were from Uttarkashi. However, given the damage to roads leading to Dharali after the flash flood, it has been difficult for anyone other than government agencies to reach the site. Several stretches remain inaccessible and officials and forces have been relying on helicopters to reach the affected area. This has made it unlikely for independent groups or NGOs to operate in the region at present. When The Pioneer talked to the inspector general of police, Garhwal region,  Rajeev Swaroop regarding the issue, he clarified that no NGO is working at the ground level in Dharali or nearby areas. “Only the Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, Police and local administration are conducting rescue and relief operations through aerial support. The weather is bad and the situation is still critical but all forces are working together for the affected people. If we allow civilians or NGOs there at this time, we might have to rescue them as well,” he said. The IG said that he had not been aware of such posts before but will now instruct police officials to investigate and take appropriate action against those spreading false claims or seeking funds under such pretences. He appealed to the public to remain cautious, verify information before making donations and rely only on official sources for updates on relief work in Dharali.