Dehradun. With Red and Orange weather alerts now in force across Uttarakhand, the state machinery has stepped up surveillance and relief‑rescue measures in the rain‑hit districts. Late Sunday evening, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan paid a surprise visit to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) to assess the deluge, flash floods and the cascading impact on the region. He instructed all departments to cooperate tightly and stay on high alert 24 hours a day.
During the briefing, the Chief Secretary requested up‑to‑date reports from every district on rainfall totals, river stages, road blockages, landslide‑prone zones, ongoing rescue missions, as well as the status of power, water and communications. District Magistrates were told to compile comprehensive damage assessments and forward them promptly to the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) so that relief and rehabilitation can be accelerated.
Road‑Repair Drive to Finish by 15 October
Following Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s directive, the Chief Secretary ordered all districts to complete a pothole‑free road campaign by 15 October. Officials must also evaluate losses to public assets, tally any fatalities and ensure that affected families receive compensation in line with existing guidelines.
Char Dham Pilgrimage to Proceed Only When Safe
Regarding the Char Dham Yatra, the Chief Secretary emphasized that pilgrim safety is paramount. The pilgrimage may resume only after a thorough weather‑risk assessment. If heavy rain or blocked routes threaten safety, pilgrims should be halted at secure points and provided with essential amenities until conditions improve.
Authorities were also tasked with continuous monitoring of river levels and issuing advance warnings to downstream communities in case of dam or barrage releases.
Targeted Monitoring of Vulnerable Populations
Special attention must be given to pregnant women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and patients with serious illnesses during the ongoing rains. Pregnant women in high‑risk zones should be relocated to safe shelters or medical facilities as needed, with helicopter evacuation arranged where necessary.
To curb a potential dengue surge, district hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres have been directed to maintain ample stocks of test kits, medicines, blood, beds and medical personnel.
Helicopter Rescue Mission for Stranded Trekkers Set for 28 September
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the rescue plan for trekkers stranded on high‑altitude routes in Uttarkashi and Bageshwar. He ordered that a helicopter‑based evacuation commence at 06:00 hrs on 28 September.
The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) has been instructed to mobilise a sufficient fleet of helicopters and deploy additional aircraft if the situation demands. Teams must keep constant contact with the trekkers, tracking their locations and health status throughout the operation.
All rescued trekkers will undergo immediate medical screening, with AIIMS Rishikesh and Srinagar Medical College on standby to provide advanced care if required.
Furthermore, every rescue helicopter must be equipped with a satellite phone to guarantee uninterrupted communication with ground teams, especially in high‑altitude zones where cellular networks are unreliable.
