Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami over the phone to take stock of the rescue operations following the cloudburst and flash floods in the Dharali
region of Uttarkashi district, which claimed the lives of four people.
Chief Minister Dhami informed the Prime Minister that the state government is actively engaged in rescue and relief operations, despite challenges posed by continuous heavy rainfall.
He assured that all concerned agencies are working in close coordination to ensure immediate assistance to the affected people.
Prime Minister Modi assured all possible support from the central government to aid the rescue and relief efforts.
This was the second phone call between PM Modi and Dhami.
On Tuesday, soon after the Dharali cloudburst was reported, Prime Minister Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that they spoke to Dhami and assured the Centre’s help in rescue operations.
Sharing details of Wednesday’s conversation on social media, Chief Minister Dhami said the Prime Minister was briefed about the overnight rescue operations, evacuation of people to safer locations, and the availability of essential services and resources.
Dhami expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for his concern and support, and added that he is in constant touch with the rescue teams and is personally heading to Dharali to inspect the situation on the ground.
“Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji spoke on the phone this morning to inquire about the ongoing relief and rescue operations in Dharali,” Dhami wrote in a post on Facebook.
“During the conversation, he was informed about the overnight rescue efforts, the evacuation of people from the incident site to safer locations, and the availability of essential services and resources,” he added.
The conversation between PM Modi and Dhami came just before the Chief Minister was to depart for the cloudburst-affected Dharali to oversee the rescue operations there.
UTTARAKHAND DISASTER
Cloudburst-triggered flash floods in Uttarkashi district on Tuesday wreaked havoc, sweeping away homes, shops, and roads, with several people feared missing.
Two cloudbursts, one in Dharali and another in the Sukhi Top area, caused widespread destruction, with Dharali bearing the brunt. Reportedly, the region also suffered from mudslides and flash floods.
RESCUE OPERATIONS ONGOING
The Indian Army has deployed 150 personnel, led by Colonel Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 RAJRIF, in rescue and relief operations in Uttarkashi.
Army tracker dogs, drones and earthmoving equipment have been deployed for evacuation and providing essential supplies since Tuesday.
Army and Air Force helicopters are assisting in providing the essential supplies and medicines.
Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing, led by the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF).
Over 130 people have been rescued so far, according to the Uttarakhand government officials.
The State Emergency Operation Centre is in constant touch with the District Magistrate and SSP.
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