Search & rescue continue along with reconstruction & repairs in U’kashi
PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Uttarkashi
The search, rescue and relief efforts continued in Dharali and nearby areas of Uttarkashi on Sunday with the authorities informing that 1,273 persons had been transported by helicopter from Harshil to Matli, Chinyalisaud and Dehradun so far since the disaster on August 5. Meanwhile, the authorities erected a Bailey bridge at Limchyagad on the Gangotri national highway to replace the bridge destoyed in the disaster. The bridge built in a period of three days has now opened the road till Songad on the Gangotri highway which will also enable the authorities to speed up the reconstruction of the road damaged further on the route. The bridge was constructed by the Border Roads Organisation with the assistance of the Public Works Department.
On Sunday, chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reached the State Emergency Operation Centre in Dehradun to review the rescue and relief operations. He issued necessary instructions to the officials concerned. In Uttarkashi, Garhwal commissioner Vinay Shankar Pandey and Garhwal inspector general of police Rajeev Swaroop held a meeting to review the rescue and relief operations.
It will be recalled that the 30-metre bridge at Limchyagad had been swept away recently, stalling traffic movement on this route considered to be the lifeline of the border area of Taknaur. Dhami had reached the Dharali area soon after the disaster and directed officials to ensure rescue and reconstruction works on war footing. The CM and senior officials have been regularly monitoring the works and issuing necessary instructions. The officials claimed that communication, electricity and drinking water supply has been restored in the disaster affected area.
Meanwhile, search for the missing persons and rescue of the stranded persons continued in the affected area on Sunday. Most of the stranded persons have been airlifted from the area to safer locations elsewhere in the district and in Dehradun.
The Garhwal commissioner said that the State government is committed to providing all possible assistance to those affected by the disaster. The authorities have facilitated dry ration, necessary consumer items, health facilities and secure shelter at Dharali-Harshil. Working on a war footing, the authorities have also restored electricity supply in the affected villages while the telecommunications system had been restored earlier. Pandey also directed the teams of the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force to remain in an alert mode and to take immediate action in case of any emergency situation.
