PNS | DEHRADUN
In view of the alert issued by the Meteorological department for certain areas of Uttarakhand situated at 2,500 metres and above, the commandant of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) Arpan Yaduvanshi has instructed SDRF’s high-altitude teams to remain prepared for potential emergencies. He said that heavy to very heavy snowfall has been predicted on Saturday in certain areas situated above 2,500 metres in Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts.
The forecast indicates a sharp increase in cold wave conditions, prompting swift precautionary measures. Yaduvanshi said that to address these challenges, SDRF’s high-altitude teams have been instructed to stay on alert mode. Various SDRF checkposts such as Sahastradhara, Nainital, Jyotirmath, Sonprayag and Bageshwar-Kapkot have been equipped with necessary rescue tools and teams have been stationed to ensure prompt response in case of any emergency, he said. He stated that teams deployed in areas experiencing adverse weather, especially heavy snowfall, have been instructed to maintain heightened vigilance.
The SDRF has also made arrangements for adequate power backup to mitigate the impact of possible electricity disruptions in the vulnerable areas. Besides this, sufficient stocks of food, medicines and first aid kits have been ensured to support both residents and rescue personnel during this period. The commandant said that the SDRF control room has been put on high alert to monitor the situation and provide immediate updates to senior officials and concerned authorities. Yaduvanshi said that SDRF understands the importance of preparedness to minimise the effects of the severe weather and ensure the safety of those in affected areas.
Considering this, the SDRF teams have been working accordingly to tackle any kind of potential emergency situations across the State, especially in mountain regions. The SDRF will continue to upgrade its preparations and operation in vulnerable districts as per the alerts issued by the Meteorological department, Yaduvanshi said.
