Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday met disaster-affected residents of Dharali at the PWD Guest House in Uttarkashi, assuring them that swift airlift operations will begin as soon as weather conditions permit.
During his visit, CM Dhami consoled victims of the devastating cloudburst and flash floods in the region and reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the safe evacuation and rescue of those stranded. He said every effort was being made to expedite helicopter services for relief operations.
Personal accounts of missing family members highlighted the human toll of the disaster. Mahendra Chauhan, a resident of Dharali, shared, “My sister, her husband, and their child have been missing since yesterday. I have not been able to contact them. CM Dhami assured that heli services will begin soon to rescue people.”
Another local resident echoed similar concerns, stating that his younger brother and family were also missing, and that the Chief Minister had assured airlifts would commence once weather conditions improved.
Earlier in the day, CM Dhami chaired a disaster management meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to assess the extent of damage and coordinate rescue efforts. He also visited the Joshiyada helipad and conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas to review the ongoing relief work.
In a significant show of support, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to CM Dhami over the phone to inquire about the situation and the progress of relief efforts. According to an official release, the Prime Minister was briefed on the challenges posed by heavy rains and assured all possible assistance from the central government.
Rescue operations are currently being carried out with the combined efforts of the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local volunteers. The state government, in coordination with central agencies, is working round the clock to provide relief and locate missing persons.
The situation remains critical, but authorities are mobilising all resources to address the crisis and ensure the safety of affected residents.
