Dehradun: Following the Meteorological Department’s red and orange weather warnings for Uttarakhand, the state administration has stepped up surveillance and relief activities across rain‑hit districts. Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan visited the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) late Sunday evening to take stock of the downpours, flooding, and emerging challenges, ordering every department to stay on heightened alert 24 hours a day.

Key Updates Requested at SEOC

During the briefing, the Chief Secretary asked district officials to report on:

  • Current rainfall totals and river discharge levels
  • Road closures, landslide‑prone zones, and ongoing rescue missions
  • Status of electricity, water supply, and telecommunications

District magistrates were instructed to compile comprehensive damage assessments and forward them promptly to the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) to accelerate relief distribution.

Road‑Repair Campaign Accelerated

Goal: All districts must finish pothole‑filling works by 15 October, as per Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s directive. Officials are also to evaluate losses to public assets and any casualties, ensuring that affected families receive compensation in line with existing regulations.

Char Dham Pilgrimage Contingency

The safety of pilgrims remains paramount. The Chief Secretary emphasized that the Char Dham Yatra will proceed only after a thorough weather‑risk assessment. If heavy rain or blocked routes threaten safety, pilgrim groups should be halted at secure staging points and provided with shelter, food, and medical aid until conditions improve.

Continuous monitoring of river levels will be maintained, and advance warnings will be issued to downstream communities whenever dam releases are scheduled.

Special Care for Vulnerable Populations

District teams must keep a close watch on pregnant women, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and patients with chronic illnesses during the monsoon. Those in high‑risk zones should be relocated to safer shelters or medical facilities, with helicopter evacuation arranged when necessary.

To curb a potential dengue surge, district hospitals, community health centres, and primary health centres are directed to stock sufficient testing kits, medicines, blood units, beds, and staff.

Helicopter Rescue Mission for Stranded Trekkers

The Chief Secretary reviewed the situation of trekkers trapped on high‑altitude routes in Uttarkashi and Bageshwar. He ordered the launch of a helicopter‑based rescue operation at 06:00 hours on 28 September.

The Uttarakhand Civil Aviation Development Authority (UCADA) will mobilise an adequate fleet of helicopters, with additional aircraft on standby if required. Rescue teams must maintain constant contact with the trekkers, tracking their locations and health status.

All rescued individuals will undergo immediate medical screening. AIIMS Rishikesh and Srinagar Medical College have been placed on alert to provide advanced care if needed.

Each rescue helicopter will be equipped with a satellite phone to guarantee uninterrupted communication in remote, network‑poor zones.